Two held in Dubai for smuggling fireworks into the UAE

Dubai: Two suspects have been arrested for allegedly helping to illegally smuggle a huge quantity of fireworks into the UAE.

Acting Chief of Dubai Police, Major General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, said Dubai Police investigators acted on a tip-off that a large quantity of fireworks had been brought into the country illegally.

The cargo shipment had entered the country labelled as a shipment of school equipment and utensils, which a cargo employee had approved to pass security checkpoints.

Police said after questioning, the cargo employee admitted to accepting a Dh 5,000 bribe for collaborating in the operation, and letting the shipment through.

The shipment was then taken to an area in Ras Al Khor, and in an undercover operation the police said they arrested another Asian suspected of being responsible for collecting the container of fireworks.

The Asian driver, who police said delivered the container to Ras Al Khor, denied his involvement in the crime. He had been released on bail.

Maj Gen Al Mazeina said the case was still under investigation.

Police launched a campaign at the beginning of Ramadan to curb fireworks being smuggled into the country, and being sold illegally on the black market.