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Dh40 million heroin seized in Sharjah’s ‘Trouble 8’ operation

SHARJAH - Sharjah Police have busted a gang of drug-traffickers and seized 202kg (445 pounds) of heroin worth Dh40 million ($11 million) from them, Colonel Abdullah Al Dukhan, Deputy Chief of Sharjah Police, said.

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Briefing the media on Tuesday, Col. Al Dukhan said, "It was the largest-ever consignment of drugs to be seized in the region."

He said the gang, comprising 18 Afghani nationals, was held red-handed with the drugs from various places, including two apartments in Sharjah, as well as from trucks used for transporting fruits and vegetables, and another vehicle. The case has been referred to the Public Prosecution.

The operation, being referred to as 'Trouble 8' since the drug was seized on the 8th of this month at 8pm, was carried out by a team of 100 police personnel.

Col. Al Dukhan said the heroin was brought into the country from Afghanistan by three Afghan nationals residing in Sharjah under the pretext of running a fruit and vegetables business. Three out of seven heavy trucks brought into the country for transportation of fruits and vegetables had been used in smuggling the huge amount of heroin through one of the country's ports, which the police refused to disclose.

The quantity was not intended for local sale but for shipping to other countries, said Al Dukhan, adding the gang had already made arrangements to smuggle it out of the UAE.

afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE