DUBAI // The number of human trafficking cases in Dubai has been falling for the past three years, according to the emirate’s police, with only five recorded in the first half of this year.
Last year Dubai Police recorded 11 cases of human trafficking, down from 21 in 2012. None of the cases reported this year involved children or the trafficking of organs.
Col Abdel Rahim Shafih, director of Dubai Police’s anti-organised crime unit, said one of this year’s cases involved an Arab woman who was held against her will and forced to carry out sexual acts.
“The woman said that she came to Dubai under the impression that she would be working in a salon, but was surprised when her passport was confiscated by a gang of three Arab men.” Col Shafih said she was held for two months in a Dubai apartment. The men were arrested after the woman was able to escape and go to the police. “The woman was transferred to a care centre in Abu Dhabi while the suspects’ case was transferred to public prosecution,” he said.
Dubai Police recently received a letter of gratitude from the US and Australian authorities for uncovering the identity of a Latin American man wanted on suspicion of being involved in human trafficking and money laundering.
“The man resided in one of the emirates for six months after he managed to change his personal information and enter the country with another passport,” said Maj Gen Khalil Al Mansouri. “Dubai Police was able to uncover his identity, which led to his arrest in America. The wanted man did not commit any crimes in the UAE.”
Col Shafih said his department focused on three areas of crime: human trafficking, terrorism and money laundering.
“The department studies developments in other countries, especially those neighbouring the UAE that lead to organised crime and loss of innocent people’s lives.”
The UAE’s anti-money laundering law is in the process of being amended, said Col Shafih, adding that Dubai Police had made suggestions based on developments around the world.
“Amendments to the law’s articles were discussed in the national council and some of the most important were the inclusion of alcohol and drug dealing as part of money-laundering crimes. Also included was the expansion of the police’s jurisdiction pertaining to money laundering alongside the central bank.”
Col Shafih said that tightening laws and imposing tougher penalties had contributed to the reduction of such crimes.
“Money laundering is a transnational crime and requires international efforts to curb it amid a lack of stability in the region.”
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae