Gang promoting fake dirhams, drugs busted

Sharjah - Sharjah Police formed a team of the officers to identify the suspects and locate their residences.

The Sharjah Police have arrested a gang of five Pakistanis for allegedly promoting fake UAE currency. They were also found in possession of drugs.
Lt.-Col Ali Mohammed Al Zhanhani, director of the criminal investigation department in the eastern region, said they were tipped off by a source regarding the plans of the culprits who intended to promote the counterfeit currency and the drugs in Khor Fakkan.
After confirming the information, the Sharjah Police formed a team of the officers to identify the suspects and locate their residences.
While the investigation was progressing, a restaurant manager informed the police that a Pakistani man had lunch and paid him fake Dh500. The restaurants workers held the suspect until police arrived and arrested him.
By searching the suspect - identified as A.R.Khan - they found in his possession counterfeit money.
The suspect confessed that he used the fake currency in buying goods. But he had nothing to do with drug pills, but his roommate was promoting tramadol pills along with help of two others.
He told the police that large quantity of drug was available with his roommate identified as T.S.K who promoting it among youths on behalf of other two people of the same nationality. Police arrested the room mate who confessed the information and informed the police about the others. The police formed another team to search for the other suspects.
The search resulted in the arrest of H.K.A during a trap laid by the officers. On raiding their residence in Khor Fakkan, the police arrested two others who were found to be absconders.
Police also found 5,000 narcotic tablets in one of the rooms. During interrogation the five member-gang confessed their crimes and the case was referred to public prosecution.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Lt.-Col Al Zhanhani, he said that the restaurant manager immediately discovered that the Dh500 was fake and informed the police.
"The Emirati currency is very strong and difficult to copy or fake."
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com