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Sat, Jul 19, 2025 | Muharram 24, 1447 | Fajr 04:12 | DXB 
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15 arrested in Dubai for trafficking 50kg of drugs hidden in sweets
Authorities said the group, possessed almost 50kg of drugs and 1,100 pieces of drug-laced sweets
Dubai Police have arrested 15 individuals, including ten men and five women, involved in a drug trafficking ring that attempted to promote narcotics disguised as candy.
Authorities said the group possessed almost 50kg of drugs and 1,100 pieces of drug-laced sweets, with an estimated street value of Dh2.4 million. The sweets and chewing gum infused with narcotic and psycho-active substances were promoted under the guise of regular confectionery.
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The suspects allegedly marketed the products through social media, targeting youth. Officials emphasised the importance of increasing awareness of online risks, urging families to take an active role in educating their children about the dangers of the digital world.
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The drug bust was announced during a press conference held at Dubai Festival City as part of the UAE’s anti-drug awareness campaign marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Brigadier General Dr Abdul Rahman Sharaf Al Maamari, Director of the International Protection Centre at the General Department of Narcotics Control, stated that the group was operating from outside the country but was arrested in coordination with the relevant authorities.
"These were a variety of sweets that contained narcotic substances,” he said. “We seized 48kg of drugs and more than 1,100 tablets mixed with these sweets. The suspects marketed the products on social media platforms, targeting the youth."
Al Maamari added that the gang’s movements were closely monitored before the raid was executed at their residence. "We acted on intelligence indicating a cross-border network attempting to distribute drug-laced sweets inside the UAE,” he said.
“A specialised team was assembled to carry out the operation with high professionalism, using AI-based monitoring and surveillance tools."
Families need to educate children
He said that individuals today spend an average of seven hours a day online, which increases exposure to harmful content and criminal activity. "Regardless of this case or others, we must continue to strengthen awareness efforts,” Al-Maamari added. "Families play a central role in educating their children about the risks of the digital world, especially when it comes to drug promotion or other criminal activities online."
The officer stressed that while law enforcement has systems in place to monitor internet activity, parental involvement is crucial.
“We call on families to monitor what their children are browsing, the messages they receive, and any suspicious packages or online purchases. It’s not just the job of police, it’s a shared responsibility,” he said.
Dubai Police's awareness efforts
As part of their preventive efforts, Dubai Police have launched several campaigns and programmes targeting students, parents, workers and delivery drivers to raise awareness about narcotics and online threats.
“We visited labour camps, schools, shopping malls and corporate offices. This year, we expanded our awareness efforts to four major exhibitions instead of one. We reached 270,000 school students and more than 20,000 university students,” Al-Maamari said.
He also highlighted training programmes where young people spend their summer break attending workshops on cybercrime, bullying, substance abuse, and digital behaviour. "This year, the International Protection Centre trained more than 1,300 students across 26 centres," he said. "We aim to build security awareness in every age group."
Report suspicious activity
Dubai Police also urged the public to report suspicious activity using official channels such as the 901 call centre, the Police Eye app, and the e-crime platform. Al-Maamari said young people must feel safe reporting any threats they encounter online. "We involve students in our operations centres to help them overcome any fear of communicating with the police. We ensure full confidentiality for all reports," he said.
According to Article 89 of the UAE’s Anti-Narcotics Law, any individual who voluntarily turns themselves in or is assisted by their family to seek treatment will be exempt from legal punishment. “Last year, we saw a significant increase in people coming forward for treatment,” Al-Maamari said. "We want the community to know our goal is protection, not punishment."
He added that Dubai Police continues to analyse criminal patterns through intelligence data and police reports to tailor public awareness campaigns. “Our strategy is proactive. We don’t wait for a crisis to happen. We monitor trends, design targeted campaigns, and act early,” he said.
Waad Barakat
Waad Barakat is a Special Correspondent covering security topics, from law enforcement to local courts. With a keen eye for human interest stories, she hopes to blend it all with unique Gen Z-inspired content.
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