Abu Dhabi:

A UAE–Pakistan joint operation has successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle 16 kilograms of heroin from Pakistan to the UAE.

Eight Pakistani men suspected to be involved in the crime have been arrested, the UAE Ministry of Interior said in a statement yesterday(Saturday).

The trans-border operation, called ‘Thank you Pakistan’, was initiated following a tip-off received by the UAE authorities that a group of people was attempting to smuggle drugs to the UAE.

The security authorities in both countries swung into action and Pakistani authorities arrested a gang of seven people at two Pakistani airports who were trying to smuggle 15 kilograms of heroin.

Another Pakistani national, who came from the country, was arrested at Dubai International Airport with 104 capsules containing one kilo of heroin.

Lt General Saif Al Shafaar, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Interior, hailed the constructive cooperation the Pakistani Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) and Special Investigation Services (SIS) offered to the UAE authorities.

Colonel Saeed Al Suwaidi, Director General of Anti-narcotics Department at the Ministry of Interior said the anti-narcotics liaison office at the UAE Embassy in Pakistan had received a tip-off from reliable sources that a group of Pakistanis was planning to smuggle the drug into the UAE.

The smugglers, he added, had made five consecutive attempts, four through Pakistani airports and one through Dubai International Airport, to smuggle the drug but all were aborted thanks to the close concerted coordination and cooperation between competent authorities in the two countries.

The seven-member gang tried to hide the heroin in their suitcases and shoes.

The man who was arrested at Dubai International Airport had swallowed the capsules.

The gang wanted to sell the drugs inside the UAE, the official said.

The official requested the public to report any information about drug-related crimes, or any suspicious activity on the telephone number 024414666 or via e-mail on dea@moi.gov.ae.

He stressed that the personal details of the callers would be kept confidential.