Number of illegals caught in Dubai alarming - Dahi

Dubai: More than 70,000 infiltrators were caught in Dubai last year, a figure which Dubai's police chief has called "alarming."

"These numbers are very dangerous. We need to ring the security bell for such a big number and ask the authorities how this number of people entered the country. There must be security committees to look into this matter because it is extremely important," Dubai's Police Chief Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim said.

Lieutenant General Dahi said the number of infiltrators increased from 23,186 in 2005, to 28,757 in 2006 to an alarming 71,910 in 2007.

"As a resident of this country, I have the right to know how these 71,910 infiltrators entered the country," Lieutenant General Dahi said.

Dangerous

He called for holding a special session with police officials in the country and border guards to take appropriate measures.

Brigadier Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, Director of Dubai Police's Criminal Investigation Department (CID), said most infiltrators were Asians.

"These infiltrators are dangerous because they do not carry any identification papers. Some of them are wanted people and have committed serious crimes such as murder."

He added these infiltrators were also dangerous because they could be carrying dangerous or contagious diseases.