Dubai Police recover Dh123,000 in stolen items before owner realises theft

Dubai: In a striking show of proactive policing, Dubai Police returned Dh123,000 worth of stolen medical supplies to a shop owner—before he even realised the goods were missing.

The thefts, which had occurred in stages from a warehouse linked to the store, were uncovered by officers at Al Raffa Police Station. According to officials, the gang behind the operation had managed to steal the supplies over an extended period without raising any suspicion.

Brigadier Ghalib Al Ghafli, Acting Director of Al Raffa Police Station, credited the station’s ‘Intelligence and Security Teams Unit’ for the breakthrough. Working closely with the station's investigative officers, the unit uncovered the theft while conducting routine surveillance aimed at identifying security vulnerabilities and strengthening public safety.

“The resolution of this case underscores the effectiveness of our intelligence efforts and the importance of community security initiatives,” said Brigadier Al Ghafli.

Since its launch in 2023, the Intelligence and Security Teams unit has played a key role in boosting security in the Al Raffa jurisdiction. According to police data, the unit has received over 1,333 security tips, resolved more than 738 cases, and been recognised 27 times by internal and external organisations for its work in tackling crime and curbing negative behaviour.

Lieutenant Colonel Ali Al Awar, Head of the General Duty Section at Al Raffa Police Station and Supervisor of the Intelligence Unit, described how officers noticed a group of individuals behaving suspiciously during a patrol operation. Upon further investigation, police found the suspects in possession of large quantities of medical pills and products.

“When questioned about the items, they confessed to stealing them from a medical warehouse on multiple occasions,” said Lt. Col. Al Awar.

The confession triggered an immediate outreach to the store’s owner who was completely unaware that any theft had taken place.

“He told us that neither he nor his staff had noticed anything missing. After a full inventory check, it became clear that medical supplies worth Dh123,000 had been stolen,” Al Awar said.

Security camera footage from the warehouse confirmed the suspects’ involvement. Further investigation also revealed their connection to other thefts in the area.