Five suspects held over heroin deal

DUBAI // Five Asian men suspected of dealing heroin were arrested in two separate sting operations.

Col Eid Mohammed Al Thani Hareb, the Dubai Police anti-narcotics department director, said the men tried to sell 1.5 kilograms of heroin and had been working with people outside of the UAE.

“The sting operations achieved great success. We were able to uncover the five suspects, who were like sleeping cells amongst members of society,” he said.

Two men, both age 33, were arrested in the first operation.

“One of the suspects, A A M H, is a married salesman and lived in Hor Al Anz in Dubai, and the second, R B S, is a married sailor and lived in Sharjah,” said Col Hareb.

“A A M H was arrested the second he received money for selling 1kg of heroin to an undercover police officer.”

R B S was arrested after police from Sharjah and Dubai raided the ship he worked on.

Col Hareb said the three other men, including the gang’s leader, were arrested in the second operation after officers infiltrated their gang.

“Two were arrested in Bur Dubai possessing half a kilo of heroin,” he said. They were identified as T M A, a 34-year-old married businessman, and S D M, a 28-year-old tailor.

Col Hareb said a third man, S K B, a 36-year-old married businessman, was arrested at Sharjah airport attempting to leave the country.

Police identified S K B as the gang leader.

Col Hareb expressed his thanks for the efforts of Sharjah Police, emphasising the UAE’s anti-narcotic departments were prepared to fight against drug dealers and smugglers.

“This is to keep our country clean and away from these poisons that harm society and the economy and that take a toll on young people’s mental and physical health.”

The five accused were transferred to public prosecution.

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