Ras Al Khaimah:The National Drug Enforcement Authority, in collaboration with multiple police departments across the UAE and Iraq's General Directorate of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Affairs, has successfully thwarted a significant smuggling attempt involving 200,000 Captagon pills and over 30 kilograms of various narcotics, dismantling an international criminal network of 20 suspects.
According to Wam, the operation was executed with the cooperation of Ras Al Khaimah, Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman Police, along with judicial coordination from the UAE Public Prosecution. The network comprised individuals of Gulf, Arab, African, and Asian nationalities, who intended to smuggle the drugs through a border area in Ras Al Khaimah for distribution within the UAE.
The seized narcotics included cocaine, crystal meth, marijuana, hashish, and synthetic cannabinoids, in addition to the Captagon pills. Intelligence shared between UAE and Iraqi authorities revealed the plot by the multinational criminal network, leading to a coordinated security plan that successfully intercepted the smuggling attempt.
Security teams apprehended several members of the network while they were in possession of the narcotics and arrested the remaining suspects during separate ambushes across the UAE. The operation has been described as a significant blow to narcotics trafficking networks. Authorities emphasized that drug dealers will find no refuge in the UAE and that any attempts to compromise the country’s security or public safety will be met with justice.
The National Drug Enforcement Authority highlighted the operation as a demonstration of the UAE's advanced capabilities in surveillance, investigations, and tracking of criminal networks. It also showcased the effectiveness of security and judicial cooperation and intelligence-sharing with regional partners in combating cross-border narcotics trafficking.
The authority reiterated its dedication to combating drug smuggling and trafficking networks and urged public cooperation with relevant authorities. It emphasized that community collaboration with security agencies is vital for protecting society from the dangers posed by drugs.
