Suspects under police custody along with seized drugs.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The Dubai Police have recently arrested ten residents and thwarted their attempt to smuggle 1,056kg of crystal meth, with an estimated street value of Dhs68,640,000 ($18.7 million), into the country.

Dubbed "Panels," the proactive operation was professionally carried out by the General Department of Anti-Narcotics, who closely monitored the suspects attempting to smuggle the narcotics in 264 commercial solar panels.

Lieutenant-General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, reiterated their keenness on combating organised crime and protecting society against all harms, especially drugs. He further praised the exceptional efforts of Dubai Police anti-narcotics teams, who were able to identify the suspects and foil their bid to smuggle the toxins.

Lt. Gen. Al Marri further affirmed that the Dubai Police spares no effort to arrest drug dealers and promoters and thwart their attempts to harm our community. He noted that Dubai Police constantly develops its work mechanisms to stay ahead of criminals and their deceptive methods.

The Lead

Expert Major General Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Criminal Investigation Affairs, explained that they take all security tips and information they receive seriously, especially when they are in the interest of the safety and security of beloved our homeland and community.

Maj. Gen. Al Mansouri explained they formed a task force and, upon receiving a security tip on an international drug syndicate intending to smuggle a shipment of drugs arriving from a South American country in a shipment of solar panels.

"We made sure all suspects involved were apprehended and brought to justice by closely monitoring the first accused who received the shipment at a port, drove it into the emirate and eventually led us to the nine remaining suspects," he concluded.

Monitoring Suspects

Brigadier Eid Muhammad Hareb, Director of the General Department for Anti-narcotics, said their teams closely monitored and traced the suspects and captured them red-handed.

"Dubai Police's anti-narcotics teams tracked the first suspect as he transferred the shipment from the port into a warehouse to ship it again to another country ", he explained.

Brig. Hareb further confirmed that they arrested all ten suspects, seized 1,056kg of crystal meth hidden in 264 commercial solar panels, and seized Dhs1,637,640 ($445,846) in their possession.

Early Prevention

The director of Anti-narcotics stressed that the watchful eyes of Dubai Police are always ready to thwart smugglers' attempts and to protect the members of society from falling victims to the harmful toxins. He urged parents and educators to raise awareness among the youth on the harmful effects of drugs.

"Early prevention through awareness programmes is one of the best strategies to immune our youth against drugs and addiction," Brig. Hareb concluded.