ABU DHABI: The Anti-Narcotics Federal Directorate General at the Ministry of Interior has successfully managed to arrest nine drug dealers and seize 13 kilograms of heroin and 34,000 narcotic pills in five separate operations that were carried out in cooperation with the Directorate General for Combating Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of the Sultanate of Oman, during January and February.
Colonel Saeed Abdullah Al Suwaidi, Director General, Anti-Narcotics Federal Directorate General at the Ministry of Interior, said that the operations, which were successfully carried out by the Anti-Narcotic officers, have dealt a painful blow to drug dealers and illustrate the coordination among the various anti-narcotics authorities in the UAE and the Directorate General for Combating Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of the Sultanate of Oman. He also noted that the ‘outstanding results’ that have been achieved were a result of the significant expertise and competency of the Anti-narcotic officers in charge of combating drug-trafficking gangs.
Moreover, Colonel Al Suwaidi reiterated the commitment of the police leadership, as per the directives of Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, to boost cooperation and joint work between the police and security authorities in the fight against drugs. He also highlighted the persistence and keenness of the Anti-Narcotics Federal Directorate General at the Ministry of Interior to keeping the UAE safe and protecting its people against any criminal acts related to drug dealing, smuggling or abusing. He also emphasized the anti-narcotics authorities’ commitment to combat drug dealers, smugglers, and peddlers regardless of their conniving unlawful methods, and to protect the UAE society against this dangerous and nefarious scourge.
“Thanks to Allah and to the distinguished efforts of the Higher Leadership, the UAE has made great achievements on the local and international levels in the fight against drugs; all of which are recognized and praised by drug combating entities in different continents, which assert the UAE’s distinguished role in combating drugs and the unlimited cooperation and assistance offered by the country in this aspect,” he added.
Colonel Al Suwaidi expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the officials at the Directorate General for Combating Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of the Sultanate of Oman, praising their constant and unrelenting cooperation with the Anti-Narcotics Federal Directorate General at the Ministry of Interior, which led to uncovering and foiling those criminal attempts on a timely manner. He also praised the role of the Omani authorities in boosting regional and international cooperation in the fight against drugs; and stressed the importance of cooperation and coordination with the concerned entities in GCC Countries, to protect the security and stability of the Arabian Gulf societies from the lethal repercussions of narcotics. He also noted that all anti-narcotics authorities in GCC countries work conjointly to combat drug smuggling networks.
“Acting on the information received from the competent authorities at the sisterly Sultanate of Oman, the Anti-Narcotics Federal Directorate General at the Ministry of Interior mounted the first and second operations, which led to the seizure of 12.5 kilograms of heroin and the arrest of two individuals, an Arab and African nationals in the emirates of Umm Al Quwain and Ajman. Another 2,500 narcotic pills were also seized in Umm Al Quwain.”
“In the third and fourth operations, two African women were arrested in possession of half a kilo of heroin and three Arabs were arrested in Dubai in possession of 22,500 narcotic pills,” he said.
“In the final operation, carried out in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, two Arab and Asian nationals were arrested in possession of 9000 narcotic pills.”