ABU DHABI // A heroin-smuggling boss and his gang have been arrested after a joint operation between the UAE and Pakistan.
Aql Khan was identified as the supplier in several drug cases in the UAE recently and he, along with three associates, were arrested with 10 kilograms of the drug in Peshawar.
In the UAE, 40 drug dealers all found to be working for him and 80 drug users were arrested, while 150kg of heroin was seized.
Authorities said Khan headed the drug-dealing gang that targeted the UAE and its neighbouring countries.
Col Saeed Al Suwaidi, head of the anti-narcotics federal directorate general at the Ministry of Interior, said that Khan was jailed in Abu Dhabi in 2012 and, after being deported, had formed his gang and targeted 80 drug users he knew of in the UAE to grow his business here. Col Al Suwaidi said Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Minister of Interior and Deputy Prime Minister, was aware of the operation to snare the gang.
During the past two years, Khan became one of the most dangerous heroin dealers in the region. However, he was so sure that he wouldn’t get caught that he allowed any potential buyer to contact him without any previous acquaintance.
Col Al Suwaidi said that a federal squad was formed and a raid of his den in Pakistan was organised in cooperation with local authorities.
He also revealed Khan’s procedure with buyers: the users would transfer money directly to Pakistan, with no middleman and no knowledge of when the drugs would be delivered, a method that caused problems for police because there were no face-to-face meetings.
Reports will be prepared for prosecutors on those arrested.
newsdesk@thenational.ae