Dubai International cooperation against drug trafficking led to arrests in 26 cases and seizing more than 76 kilograms of drugs in 2011, Dubai Police's Anti-Narcotics Department said Tuesday.

Police received 54 tips from foreign sources which led to arrests in 26 cases in ten countries, out of which 16 were in Asia, nine were in Africa, and one in Australia, Major General Abdul Jalil Mahdi, Director of the Department, said.

The department also received letters of thanks from 26 countries for its cooperation that led to the arrest of drug traffickers and dealers across the world through information and tips.

"The UAE takes any tip on narcotics very seriously even if the person or gang in question do not practice their activities in the country," Maj Gen Mahdi said.

Cooperation with other countries led to 144kg of drugs being seized in Dubai last year including 135 kg of heroin, 6kg of marijuana and 3kg of crystal meth.

"The UAE is not a targeted country, but our geographic location makes the UAE a transit hub for shipping, and this includes drug shipments," Maj Gen Mahdi said.

In one of the most important cases, a container that toured many countries before arriving in Dubai in October was found to contain 139kg of heroin hidden under the container's contents.

Global team

The Fotino operation was one of the biggest and led to the dismantling of an international gang that operated in many countries.

Investigations led to important information about a drug-trafficking gang and a team was formed with members from the UAE, Australia, Spain, Holland, Germany and South American countries.

"International cooperation is very important in our battle against drugs, along with our national efforts in crime fighting and spreading awareness, which are necessary to protect and immunise the society," Maj Gen Mahdi said.

Sharjah: caught at port

Police Tuesday arrested three sailors who intended to smuggle nearly 79 kilogrammes of hashish, opium and methamphetamine through Port Khalid.

The Anti-Narcotics Department at Sharjah Police, in cooperation with Dubai Police, arrested the three Asian men who had in their possession 57kg of hashish, 8.62kg of opium and 12.2kg of the psycho-stimulant drug methamphetamine, which they intended to distribute to another Gulf country, police said.

A senior official at Sharjah Police explained that a customs inspector had been monitoring the movements of the two sailors whose boat had been anchored at the quay.

After finding their movements suspicious, the inspector then notified the drug enforcement agency.

After completing the necessary legal procedures and inspecting the vessel, police discovered a large quantity of drugs hidden inside plastic bags.

During police interrogation, the two suspects confessed that they had collaborated with another suspect to distribute the drugs.

The third suspect was a resident of Dubai and was also a sailor, police revealed.

Based on the confessions of the suspects, they have been arrested and the case has been referred to the Sharjah Public Prosecution department.