UAE busts international drug ring, arrests 20 in major operation

The National Drug Enforcement Authority (NDEA) in Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with Ras Al Khaimah Police, Iraq's Ministry of Interior, and the Federal Public Prosecution, has thwarted an international drug smuggling operation aiming to bring 200,000 Captagon pills and over 30 kilograms of narcotics into the UAE. The coordinated effort resulted in the apprehension of 20 suspects hailing from various nations, including Gulf, Arab, African, and Asian backgrounds.

Beyond the Captagon pills, the seized narcotics also consisted of diverse substances such as cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, marijuana, hashish, and Spice. The criminal network had intended to smuggle these drugs into the UAE via a border region in Ras Al Khaimah, intending to distribute them internally.

The operation commenced through the exchange of intelligence between UAE and Iraqi authorities, which revealed a multinational criminal syndicate's plot to infiltrate the UAE with vast quantities of illicit drugs. With this knowledge, the National Drug Enforcement Authority, working alongside other relevant agencies, formulated a robust security plan that facilitated the interruption of the smuggling operation.

Several individuals from the network were apprehended with the drugs during the smuggling attempt, while the remaining suspects were detained within the UAE via targeted raids executed by security forces. The NDEA emphasized that the operation dealt a significant blow to drug trafficking and smuggling networks, reiterating that drug dealers have no place in UAE territory, and those attempting to jeopardize the country's security or endanger its society will face justice.

The NDEA highlighted the efficiency of security agencies and their advanced capabilities in detecting, investigating, and tracking criminal networks. Furthermore, they highlighted the effectiveness of security and judicial cooperation, as well as intelligence-sharing with regional partners, in combating cross-border drug crimes.

The Authority reaffirmed its dedication to combating drugs and pursuing smuggling and trafficking networks, urging the public to collaborate with authorities and report any suspicious activities, stressing that the partnership between the community and security agencies is a crucial pillar in safeguarding society from drug-related dangers.