Gang arrested for drug smuggling bid

Abu Dhabi:  The Ministry of Interior has arrested nine suspects accused of being involved in an attempt to smuggle 131 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine via a motorboat into Dubai.

The bid was foiled as a result of cooperation with a neighbouring country, said Lieutenant General Saif Abdullah Al Shafar, Undersecretary at the ministry. He praised the efforts of anti-narcotics police, saying "the success is the fruit of cooperation between the anti-narcotics bodies in the UAE and the neighbouring country, and comes in line with the ministry's ongoing endeavours to enhance international cooperation in fighting drug smuggling and trafficking."

Major General Abdul Jalil Al Asmawi, Director-General, General Department Anti-Narcotics, Dubai Police, said the ministry set up a police squad after receiving information a gang was planning to smuggle a huge quantity of the drug into the country via a UAE port. They were planning to smuggle it to another country.