Dubai police say $136 million worth of cocaine seized | Inquirer News

Dubai police say $136 million worth of cocaine seized

/ 12:24 PM October 11, 2021

dubai skyline

 General view of Dubai Marina in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 22, 2018. REUTERS FILE PHOTO

DUBAI — The UAE authorities seized half a tonne of cocaine worth more than $136 million, Dubai police said on Sunday, in one of the biggest drug busts in the Gulf country.

Officers “recently thwarted a smuggling attempt of 500 kilograms of pure cocaine into the country”, a police statement said.

Article continues after this advertisement

“The narcotics, worth more than 500 million dirhams ($136 million) in street value, were well-hidden within the structure of a cargo container.”

FEATURED STORIES

The United Arab Emirates, made up of seven emirates including Dubai, has a zero tolerance policy towards drug possession.

Police said they foiled the smuggling attempt after receiving a tip about a cargo container carrying the contraband through a sea port.

Article continues after this advertisement

In the operation dubbed “Scorpion”, a suspect of Middle Eastern origin was arrested. Police described the man as an intermediary for an international drug syndicate.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Once the shipment arrived, the suspect transported the illegal drugs to another emirate and stored them in a warehouse with the aim of selling and promoting the harmful toxins,” said Eid Mohammed Thani Hareb, director of the Anti-Narcotics Department, according to the statement.

Article continues after this advertisement

It added that security officers raided the warehouse and caught the man “red-handed”.

Drug smugglers face possible death sentences in the UAE but in practice, executions are rare.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: Cocaine, Crime, Dubai, Police, UAE

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.