Overview
- Authorities said a month-long joint operation by the National Anti-Narcotics Agency with Dubai, Sharjah and Bahrain police led to 13 arrests in the UAE and the capture of a ringleader abroad who was extradited.
- Officials reported seizures valued at about Dh3.3 million that included narcotics along with 8,159 psychotropic tablets and e‑cigarettes filled with hashish oil.
- The suspects, described as part of an international network, operated in the UAE under directions from a boss based in Bahrain, according to official statements.
- The National said the 13 detainees include six Indian citizens, three Iranians, two Pakistanis, one Egyptian and one Sri Lankan, with their movements tracked across several locations.
- Dubai Police added context to the wider crackdown by noting 110 drug-promoting websites were blocked in the first quarter and 90 intelligence reports were shared with foreign partners, alongside new tools such as AI for predictive policing.