Sharjah Police seize 17kg cocaine in two drug smuggling operations

The Directorate of Prevention and Drug Control, representing the Sharjah Police General Command, thwarted a large-scale smuggling scheme led by an international network operating in four countries.

The scheme had attempted to bring 17 kilogrammes of cocaine into the country for distribution.

The Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority demonstrated their high level of efficiency through accurate monitoring and tracking of suspicious movements, rapid response in gathering information, and effective coordination with the command, thereby helping thwart the smuggling scheme. This reflects the advanced level of readiness and security discipline, which led to the successful disruption of the smuggling operation.

Brigadier Majid Sultan Al Asam, Director of the Drug Prevention and Control Directorate, confirmed that the main smuggler, who was of Asian nationality, was arrested as soon as he arrived in the country via one Arabian Gulf state. The two recipients, who are of African nationality, were also caught in the act.

He explained that investigations and search operations, conducted in cooperation with the National Centre for Early Intelligence, enabled the specialist teams to identify another traveller of the same nationality who was travelling from one Gulf country to another via one of the country's airports. Within two hours, coordination had been made with the National Drug Control Agency to share the suspect's details and how he had concealed the seized items with the destination country, which subsequently seized approximately 5 kilogrammes of cocaine.

Al Asam praised the joint efforts that thwarted this international scheme, emphasising that the network’s members were monitored with great accuracy and professionalism, enabling the two operations to be controlled within a record period.

This is a clear reflection of the National Drug Enforcement Authority (NDEA) and the Sharjah Police General Command's efforts to strengthen the community protection system, confront drug smuggling networks and enhance integrated security work with local, federal and international authorities.

Sharjah Police have affirmed that the successful disruption of two operations within such a short timeframe demonstrates the efficiency of the emirate's security system and reflects the advanced level of coordination between the relevant authorities. These efforts are ongoing and are aimed at protecting society from the scourge of drugs.