DUBAI // More than 92 kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated street value of Dh140 million, has been seized, police said yesterday.
The operation, dubbed Death Bags, led to what police said was the biggest and most valuable seizure in the region during the past two years.
Dubai Police received intelligence on November 16 regarding a suspicious package delivered to a trade company in an undisclosed place in Dubai.
An investigation team searched the company's premises and found the drugs in an office beside the company's warehouse. The cocaine was contained in four handbags.
Police said that the package came from Brazil by sea and passed through Dubai Customs, but did not disclose through which port it had passed.
"We suspect that the drugs were not aimed to stay in Dubai, but were rather here on transit," said Maj Gen Abed Al Jaleel Al Mahdi, head of the anti-narcotics department at Dubai Police.
"The investigation is still under way to determine those involved. We are co-operating with Brazilian authorities in this regard and hope soon to be able to have more information on the circumstances surrounding these drugs," he said.
The cocaine, which is "very pure", was estimated by police to be worth about Dh50 million wholesale.
"Cocaine is not common in the UAE, and Emiratis do not usually use it. This type of drug is very expensive and its usage is usually confined to a small, rich category of society," Maj Gen Al Mahdi said.
wissa@thenational.ae
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The specs: 2018 BMW X2 and X3
Price, as tested: Dh255,150 (X2); Dh383,250 (X3)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder (X2); 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder (X3)
Power 192hp @ 5,000rpm (X2); 355hp @ 5,500rpm (X3)
Torque: 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (X2); 500Nm @ 1,520rpm (X3)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic (X2); Eight-speed automatic (X3)
Fuel consumption, combined: 5.7L / 100km (X2); 8.3L / 100km (X3)
Brief scoreline:
Burnley 3
Barnes 63', 70', Berg Gudmundsson 75'
Southampton 3
Man of the match
Ashley Barnes (Burnley)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Four motivational quotes from Alicia's Dubai talk
“The only thing we need is to know that we have faith. Faith and hope in our own dreams. The belief that, when we keep going we’re going to find our way. That’s all we got.”
“Sometimes we try so hard to keep things inside. We try so hard to pretend it’s not really bothering us. In some ways, that hurts us more. You don’t realise how dishonest you are with yourself sometimes, but I realised that if I spoke it, I could let it go.”
“One good thing is to know you’re not the only one going through it. You’re not the only one trying to find your way, trying to find yourself, trying to find amazing energy, trying to find a light. Show all of yourself. Show every nuance. All of your magic. All of your colours. Be true to that. You can be unafraid.”
“It’s time to stop holding back. It’s time to do it on your terms. It’s time to shine in the most unbelievable way. It’s time to let go of negativity and find your tribe, find those people that lift you up, because everybody else is just in your way.”
HAJJAN
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'Skin'
Dir: Guy Nattiv
Starring: Jamie Bell, Danielle McDonald, Bill Camp, Vera Farmiga
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
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HEY%20MERCEDES%2C%20WHAT%20CAN%20YOU%20DO%20FOR%20ME%3F
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Hamilton’s 2017
Australia - 2nd; China - 1st; Bahrain - 2nd; Russia - 4th; Spain - 1st; Monaco - 7th; Canada - 1st; Azerbaijan - 5th; Austria - 4th; Britain - 1st; Hungary - 4th; Belgium - 1st; Italy - 1st; Singapore - 1st; Malaysia - 2nd; Japan - 1st; United States - 1st; Mexico - 9th
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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FROM%20THE%20ASHES
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