Police fight against drugs yields results

Dubai Police have upped the ante in the fight against drug-related crimes, with a report showing a nine per cent increase in the number of arrests so far this year.

According to the Safety and Security monthly bulletin issued by the Dubai Police, some 428 suspects were arrested since January, compared to 419 in the same period last year.

According to a report compiled by the Dubai Police Anti-Narcotics Department, the fierce crackdown has yielded results as the number of drug-related cases registered a significant decrease of 18 per cent.

"Dubai Police spares no effort in fighting narcotics. The Anti-Narcotics Department is working hard not only on fighting drugs, but also on educating people and raising their awareness of this illness," said Colonel Abdul Jaleel Mehdi, Director General of Dubai Police Anti-Narcotics Department.

The report also released detailed statistics on the cases, such as nationalities, and quantities of narcotics seized.

The number of expatriates arrested in drug-related crimes increased by 65 per cent over last year, with 29 arrested in the first six months of 2001, and 44 so far this year.

In contrast, the number of UAE nationals arrested for drug-related crimes has fallen by 12 per cent, with 30 arrested in the first six months of 2001, and 25 so far this year.

The report revealed a drastic reduction in the quantity of narcotics seized. June of 2001 witnessed the highest quantity of narcotics seized with 446 kilogrammes.

Despite some encouraging figures, Col Mehdi warned that fatalities due to narcotics are still very much a reality that must be overcome.

"The number of deaths during the last decade reflects a continuous increase, which needs more effort and cooperation between the police and society," he said.