Photo has been used for illustrative purpose.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The Abu Dhabi Police have arrested three Asians with around 38 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine in their possession and hidden inside fish.

The suspects were arrested through a tight plan of field follow-up after coordinating with the Federal Drug Prosecution.

According to Brigadier Taher Gharib Al Dhaheri, Director of the Directorate of Drug Control in the criminal security sector, the Abu Dhabi Police took the suspects by surprise when they were arrested because they thought that it was difficult to uncover the drugs. He pointed out that this operation was part of a broader one that targeted all drug-promoting gangs who depended on random messages via WhatsApp to promote narcotics.

The new drug laws that took effect from the beginning of this year will serve as a deterrent to all drug dealers who attempt to promote such poison in the UAE. He called on the public to report any messages they receive from unknown numbers to the number 800262, noting that most of these drug dealers are monitored by the anti-narcotics bodies across the UAE.

A recent report says Abu Dhabi Police seized 2.9 tonnes of drugs and 1.4 million tablets of psychotropic substances during 2021, with a value of Dhs1.2 billion, in separate operations.

Major General Mohammed Suhail Al Rashidi, Director of the Criminal Security Sector, said the Abu Dhabi Police follow an integrated strategy to pursue and apprehend drug traffickers, whatever methods they followed to  mislead authorities

Al Rashidi emphasised the importance of cooperation with the relevant institutions and all the society members in the protection from dangers of drugs. He pointed out that working as one team is very important to confront the scourge effectively and reduce its dangers and the consequent damage and risks to society.

He also indicated that the development and modernity of the Abu Dhabi police force enabled them to carry out their duties, provide an integrated security umbrella in the face of drugs, arrest those involved in smuggling, promoting and trafficking and bring them to justice.