Gang in Sharjah that went berserk busted

Sharjah: A four-strong gang high on a controlled painkiller went on the rampage, smashing cars, terrifying residents and stealing money, a police official told Gulf News on Monday.

A police official said a 20-year-old Pakistani identified as A.Sh.S., a 16-year-old Omani identified as A.M., and two Emiratis A.A., 18, and M.A., 17, were arrested for vandalism in the Al Nassiriya area.

Police said the incident happened in the early hours of Thursday at around 2am. The gang of four who were under the influence of tramadol, an analgesic, went to Al Nassiriya and smashed the windows of 11 vehicles parked there. They also took Dh250 left in the cars. Residents told police they woke in the morning to find their vehicle windows smashed.

"M.A.'s mobile phone fell into a taxi whose windows he and his friends smashed to rob from it. A taxi driver found the phone and informed police," the police official said.

Police found M.A.'s photos and phone numbers on the mobile phone. Three of the accused were arrested on Thursday morning. Police summoned A.Sh.S. to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Sense of euphoria

"He came immediately to the CID as he thought that the police did not have any idea about the crime," the official said.

The Omani and the two other accused told police about the fourth accomplice.

Police said the four were taken to the CID and underwent blood tests. Forensic tests showed they had all taken a kind of painkiller going under the name of tramadol. The accused told police that they had bought six tablets from a person who lived in the Al Nassiriya area.

The four accused are now being detained at Al Hira police station and their case is being referred to the public prosecutor for further investigation.

A senior police official said tramal and tramadol are strong painkillers used in the treatment and prevention of moderate to severe pain.

"Tramadol and tramal are now used here widely among drug addicts who are using it as a kind of drug. They are consuming it with alcohol which increases its effect on the human body and brain function," he said.

He said tramal and tramadol are controlled medicines here and those who take them and have a prescription will not be prosecuted. However, the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Interior are in the process of classifying tramal and tramadol as prohibited drugs.

Doctors explained that tramal and tramadol can produce a sense of euphoria in some users.

A single dose (about 75mg-300mg) of tramadol and tramal induces a state of well-being, increased energy, and a significant improvement of symptoms related to depression and anxiety.

Do you know anyone who is selling this and similar drugs? Have you been a victim of teenage vandalism?