Dubai Police foil smuggling of 1,560kg of drugs in 2019

Sohaila Ahmed, Staff Reporter

Anti-narcotic teams of Dubai Police have put their efforts together to fight drug trafficking by all means possible; and in 2019, Dubai Police teams seized 1,560kg of drugs worth Dhs1.5 billion.

This came in a press conference organised by Dubai Police on Saturday, in which officials have revealed details of how they thwarted the biggest drug-trafficking operation worldwide.

Major-General Khalil Ebrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Criminal Investigation Affairs, highlighted that teams have successfully apprehended 3,128 suspects for drug dealing, and seized 14.8 million illegal pills.

Anti-narcotic teams have also worked together with different countries, after receiving 93 tipoffs about drug trafficking operations; 27 suspects were arrested, and 11 tonnes of drugs were seized.

Additionally, around 215 suspects involved in drug-related cases were arrested across other Emirates, and 572kg of drugs were busted. Thanks to excessive efforts of anti-narcotics teams, 58 pro-drug websites were shut down during the same year.

Maj. Gen. Al Marri praised the intensive efforts made by the General Department of Anti-Narcotics in fighting drug trafficking and maintaining the safety and security of the UAE community.

Last year, police teams worked side by side in world-class operations, including “Operation Stalker”, in which they successfully arrested an international drug-trafficking gang of 16 members, and seized 365kg of heroin, hashish, and crystal meth worth Dhs2.7 million.

In another anti-drug mission, titled “Operation Listah”, police teams apprehended 12 Asian suspects fo drug trafficking, and seized 194kg of drugs which were hidden on a boat’s deck.

Police officials emphasised their keenness to fight drug trafficking and protect the youth of the society and help create a safe future for them.