Dubai Police uncover 16 new types of synthetic drugs

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Following meticulous laboratory research and analyses by experts from Mirsad “Drug Observatory" of the Forensic Evidence Department, the Dubai Police have identified 16 new types of synthetic drugs between 2022 and 2023.

These discoveries were facilitated by precise tests and investigations on substances that contain toxins harmful to human health and mental well-being.

Major General Ahmad Bin Ghulaita, Director of the General Department of Forensic Evidence and Criminology in the Dubai Police, reiterated the commitment of the Dubai Police, in line with the directives of Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, the Commander-in-Chief, to keep pace with all developments in the world of drugs.

He praised the "Drug Observatory" centre, which comprises a select group of toxicology experts proficient in analysing substances, studying their effects on human health, and understanding the societal harm they might cause.

Major General Bin Ghulaita also noted that Dubai Police boast some of the highest-level experts in identifying synthetic drugs and other substances. Armed with state-of-the-art equipment, these experts can detect any tampering with chemical compositions in drugs in mere minutes, thwarting the attempts of drug traffickers and enforcing the law against them.

Concerning the nature of the 16 substances identified, Major General Bin Ghulaita revealed that they include "12 types of synthetic cannabinoids, two types of synthetic cathinones, and two derivatives of the drug known as LSD." He emphasised these substances' detrimental effects on users and the wider community.

On her part, First Expert Ibtisam Abdul Rahman Al Abdouli, Director of the Drug Observatory Centre, shared that the toxicology experts at the Dubai Police possess advanced capabilities to prevent the spread of these synthetic drugs.

They work diligently to identify any attempts by drug traffickers to manipulate the chemical compositions of these substances to circumvent existing federal laws.

Al Abdouli further emphasised that the experts closely monitor any changes in these compounds' chemical makeup, considering their dangerous side effects on human health, such as increased heart rate, hallucinations, seizures, and even death.

"The challenge for the Drug Observatory experts doesn't stop at detecting raw drugs. We also identify the drug metabolite and evidence of drug consumption in biological samples. This is a distinction the Dubai Police take pride in, as they detect the metabolites of synthetic drugs in biological samples, provide technical reports on them, and submit them to judicial authorities and public prosecutions," she added.

Preparing Reports Major Adnan Saleh Lanjawi, Head of the Forensic Chemistry Department, asserted that all these achievements wouldn't have been possible without the unwavering support from the Dubai Police.