Investigators discovered the gang was behind a number of smuggling attempts in different countries. Photo: Dubai Police
Investigators discovered the gang was behind a number of smuggling attempts in different countries. Photo: Dubai Police
Investigators discovered the gang was behind a number of smuggling attempts in different countries. Photo: Dubai Police
Investigators discovered the gang was behind a number of smuggling attempts in different countries. Photo: Dubai Police

Dubai Police help break up international drug syndicate in global crime sting operation


Salam Al Amir
  • English
  • Arabic

A central figure of a transnational organised crime syndicate involved in trafficking and smuggling cocaine from South America to Europe has been arrested in Dubai.

Dubai Police said in a media statement that they were informed in June last year that the man was living in the emirate but did not reveal his name, nationality or age.

A joint investigation involving Dubai Police and authorities in France, Spain and Colombia revealed how members of the gang had set up a number of shell companies to launder several million euros during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Investigators discovered the gang was behind an attempt to smuggle 12 tonnes of tobacco into Belgium in August 2021.

They were also behind an attempt to smuggle 600 kilograms of cocaine into Spain but the drugs were confiscated in September 2021 by Colombian authorities.

An attempt was also made to smuggle 22 tonnes of sugar mixed with cocaine from Colombia to France, the drugs were seized in Thiais, near Paris, after the shipment had been unloaded at Le Havre port.

Following months of investigations and surveillance across three continents, 18 gang members were arrested in a synchronised raids in France, Dubai and Spain on May 5.

One member of the gang was arrested in Dubai while 10 other members were arrested in Paris. Seven more suspects were taken into custody in Madrid and Barcelona in a sting operation code-named “Canne a Sucre” — “sugarcane” in English.

Working on the case, Dubai Police said it had exchanged information with several European countries, the UK and the US.

Lt Gen Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, chief of Dubai Police, praised the efforts of the team from the General Department of Criminal Investigations, who located, tracked and arrested the man.

“This is another achievement of the fruitful co-operation between Dubai Police and international law enforcement agencies in ensuring the world's security and safety and tackling transnational organised crime,” he said.

Stephanie Cherbonnier, inspector general and director of Anti-Narcotics in France, praised Dubai Police's swift response and said it played an exceptional role in investigating and catching the suspect.

Dubai Police's K9 missions in 2021 - in pictures

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Schedule:
All matches at the Harare Sports Club
1st ODI, Wed Apr 10
2nd ODI, Fri Apr 12
3rd ODI, Sun Apr 14
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UAE squad
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What sanctions would be reimposed?

Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:

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UAE Premiership

Results
Dubai Exiles 24-28 Jebel Ali Dragons
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 43-27 Dubai Hurricanes

Fixture
Friday, March 29, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons, The Sevens, Dubai

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Fifa Club World Cup:

When: December 6-16
Where: Games to take place at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi and Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain
Defending champions: Real Madrid

Emirates exiles

Will Wilson is not the first player to have attained high-class representative honours after first learning to play rugby on the playing fields of UAE.

Jonny Macdonald
Abu Dhabi-born and raised, the current Jebel Ali Dragons assistant coach was selected to play for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011.

Jordan Onojaife
Having started rugby by chance when the Jumeirah College team were short of players, he later won the World Under 20 Championship with England.

Devante Onojaife
Followed older brother Jordan into England age-group rugby, as well as the pro game at Northampton Saints, but recently switched allegiance to Scotland.

The Book of Collateral Damage

Sinan Antoon

(Yale University Press)

Abu Dhabi traffic facts

Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road

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Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.

The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.

The highest levels of traffic were found on Sunday, November 10.

Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019

 

Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale

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Director: Amith Krishnan

Rating: 3.5/5

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Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

The Pope's itinerary

Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport


Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial


Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport

Updated: May 13, 2022, 3:20 AM`