UAE: Ministry of Interior uncovers alarming drug trafficking tactic using A4 paper

The Ministry of Interior has issued a stark warning regarding a new and highly deceptive method of drug trafficking being used by criminal syndicates to target youth and adolescents. For the first time, drug traffickers are promoting dangerous synthetic substances by saturating standard A4 printing paper with narcotics—an alarming trend that raises no immediate suspicion but poses serious health risks.

The Ministry’s Anti-Narcotics Directorate highlighted the emergence of this tactic, noting that some of the trafficking is being orchestrated through social media platforms by networks operating outside the country. These traffickers are constantly developing new, covert ways to smuggle and distribute drugs. The latest involves infusing A4 paper with synthetic substances, which users cut into small pieces, roll into cigarette-like forms, and smoke—similar to how cannabis is consumed.

The Directorate emphasized that the Ministry and its anti-narcotics teams remain vigilant, actively monitoring and intercepting such smuggling attempts. Authorities have already seized shipments of drug-soaked paper arriving from abroad before they could be distributed locally, arresting individuals linked to international trafficking networks.

These revelations were disclosed by Brigadier Saeed Abdullah Al Suwaidi, Director General of the Federal Anti-Narcotics Department, during the opening of the “Drug Prevention Forum” held under the theme “Aware Families, Safe Communities.” The event kicked off yesterday in Abu Dhabi under the patronage of Lieutenant General H.H. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior, and Chairman of the National Anti-Narcotics Council.

Organized by the Ministry of Interior in collaboration with the National Anti-Narcotics Council and Abu Dhabi Police, the forum reflects the Ministry’s holistic national strategy to combat drug abuse. The strategy emphasizes prevention and community engagement as the first line of defense—empowering families, schools, and institutions to become active partners in safeguarding youth and promoting positive values.

Brig. Al Suwaidi reiterated the crucial role of the family in early intervention and protecting youth from addiction, especially as traffickers increasingly turn to innovative and deceptive methods such as drug-infused paper.

The forum serves as a comprehensive awareness platform involving multiple stakeholders committed to anti-drug efforts. It seeks to educate families and youth about the health, psychological, and social dangers of substance abuse, while also promoting rehabilitation and reintegration pathways for recovering addicts.

Launched on Thursday, June 19, the forum is set to run through June 29 at The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. It was officially inaugurated by Major General Ahmed Saif bin Zaitoun Al Muhairi, Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police, in the presence of several high-level officials, including:

The opening day featured a series of expert-led advisory sessions focused on key areas such as:

Attendees—particularly young people—responded enthusiastically to the diverse program, which included workshops, live demonstrations, virtual reality simulations (VAR), and interactive awareness sessions.

The forum also saw the launch of several initiatives, including the “Family and Community Awareness Program” by the Prevention and Future Leaders Councils. Public engagement was further boosted by musical performances by the Abu Dhabi Police band, K9 dog shows by the Security Inspection Department, and live podcast recordings by the Federal Drug Prevention Division. Visitors also took part in educational competitions and interactive exhibits designed for all age groups.

The forum underlines the UAE’s firm stance against drug abuse and its commitment to developing innovative, community-driven solutions to protect future generations.

Abu Dhabi Police had earlier issued a warning via its official website and digital platforms about the dangers of curiosity that can lead individuals—especially youth—into experimenting with drugs, ultimately resulting in devastating consequences. The force urged families to closely monitor the behavior of their children in order to protect them from this destructive scourge.

The police also cautioned against criminal networks exploiting social media platforms and messaging applications to promote drugs. These networks send out random messages containing images, videos, and voice recordings promoting narcotics, falsely claiming they can deliver drugs to any location within the UAE.

In recent proactive operations, Abu Dhabi Police succeeded in apprehending several drug traffickers. Among the most significant was an operation dubbed “Hidden Stashes,” in which two Asian nationals were arrested in possession of 184 kilograms of hashish—dealing a heavy blow to drug dealers operating in the region.

Authorities revealed that the network was orchestrated by an Asian individual residing outside the country, who used international phone numbers to disseminate drug-related advertisements at random.

Abu Dhabi Police reaffirmed its high-level capabilities and commitment to leveraging advanced technologies and modern strategies to combat drug-related crimes. The force emphasized its ability to detect and dismantle criminal plots, neutralize the activities of traffickers, smugglers, and dealers, and ultimately achieve major successes in thwarting their efforts to spread narcotics throughout the community.

The police also underscored the critical role of families in shaping societal values and protecting young people from falling into the trap of addiction. They highlighted the importance of active family involvement in raising awareness and fostering prevention, especially as drug abuse remains a global threat due to its link with rising moral crimes and the spread of harmful social behaviors.

Abu Dhabi Police stressed that it has intensified its anti-drug efforts, recognizing the severe health, social, economic, and security consequences of narcotics. The force reaffirmed its commitment to unified action alongside community institutions and relevant anti-narcotics authorities to confront this grave threat.

Throughout the past year, Abu Dhabi Police has launched numerous awareness initiatives to combat drug risks, including the “Chance of Hope” and “Travel Safe” campaigns, presented in multiple languages to reach a broad audience.