International drug gang busted by Dubai Police

The Dubai Police have arrested five drug traffickers and seized 30kg heroin in an operation code-named “lion’s den”.

by

Amira Agarib

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Published: Thu 6 Mar 2014, 1:37 AM

Last updated: Fri 3 Apr 2015, 5:22 PM

The police busted the sleeper cell of an international gang, which smuggled drugs into the country through various means.

Major-General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai Police, said the operation, which took place on January 20 this year, was carried out by a joint team of officers from the anti-narcotic departments of the police forces of Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman.

“Drug traffickers try to exploit the strategic geographic location of the UAE to smuggle drugs into the country. However, the competent security authorities in the UAE, as per the directives of Lt-General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, are vigilant and prevent dealers and smugglers from doing so,” Maj-Gen Al Mazeina said.

Officers searching a bag for the contraband. — Supplied photo

An international Asian drug smuggler, identified as P.R., was arrested from Al Garhoud and 20kg heroin was found in his possession.

The Dubai Police received information that P.R. would arrive at a hotel in the area, after which they formed a team and arrested him. He reportedly holds a number of passports of different countries and deals with many international gangs.

He led the police to four other Asians — a truck driver, trader and two dealers of scrap — following which the police recovered 10kg heroin.

“The role of the driver, P.M., 39, was to coordinate and communicate with the gang’s mastermind, P.Y., who resides in an Asian country. P.M. was arrested when he handed over a bag to the second accused near a shopping mall in Ajman,” Maj-Gen Al Mazeina said.

The seized quantity of heroin was “professionally” stashed away in hidden layers in two suitcases.

Another accused, A.S., said he came to the UAE on the instructions of P.Y. His role was to re-export the smuggled drugs to Western countries.

P.R. was charged with possession of narcotics and psychotropic substances for the purpose of trading, while the others were charged with possession, promoting and distributing drugs.

“The operation took several months of monitoring and follow-up, during which the first suspect’s movements were tracked. His arrest is a powerful strike to drug traffickers and a strong message to them,” he said.

news@khaleejtimes.com


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