UAE-UK joint police operations tackle organised crime

Dubai Police’s anti-narcotics unit and the NCA have been working closely together to seize illegal drugs and combat the harm caused to communities from organised crime groups involved in drug trafficking.

By Staff Reporter

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Published: Sun 28 Jun 2015, 12:20 AM

Last updated: Wed 8 Jul 2015, 3:09 PM

Dubai - The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), which is part of the UK law enforcement team present at the British Embassies in the UAE, has published their 2015 National Strategic Assessment outlining the threat to the UK from serious and organised crime.

Child sexual exploitation and abuse represented one of the highest risks to the UK, with the risk from organised immigration crime, human trafficking and modern slavery also showing an increase, according to the assessment.

The NCA — along with other departments including the Metropolitan Police Service, the Crown Prosecution Service and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) — is constantly engaged with their Emirati counterparts to tackle organised crime and money laundering.

A relationship which is highly valued and appreciated by the UK, the joint cooperation has led to operational successes including the seizure of proceeds of crime, extradition of criminals between the two countries and disruption of crime to reduce the threat to the UK and UAE.

Presenting a comprehensive picture of the work of the NCA and their international partners, including in the UAE, the assessment highlighted the fact that fraud continues to cost the UK billions of pounds and remains a high priority, with advancements in technology also leading to an increased opportunity for criminal activity.

The Dubai Police’s anti-narcotics unit and the NCA have been working closely together to seize illegal drugs and combat the harm caused to communities from organised crime groups involved in drug trafficking.

Since March 2015, this cooperation has led to the seizure of multiple kilogrammes of cocaine, heroin and cannabis. The Home Office’s Risk and Liaison Overseas Network (RALON) has worked with local partners to secure a number of disruptions of criminal groups resulting in more secure airports and borders for both countries.

The Dubai Police’s anti-money laundering unit and the HMRC are working together and leading international operations that have dismantled organised criminal attacks on EU Revenue systems — protecting over Dh6 billion.

Another example of collaboration in this area was the exchange of letters of intent in March this year by the UAE’s Ministry of Interior and the UK’s Home Office confirming that the UAE would host the second #WeProtect Children Online Global Summit following the London 2014 summit.

British Consul-General for Dubai and the Northern Emirates, Edward Hobart, said the impact of serious and organised crime is felt by everyone and contributes to “insecurity at both personal and national levels”.

“As two globally active countries, the relationship between the UK and UAE law enforcement bodies is important in our fight against serious organised crime. It is having a tangible impact tackling criminal threats to the UK, the UAE, and beyond, and it continues to get stronger.” -reporters@khaleejtimes.com


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