Police seize two tonnes of niswar in raid on Samha farm

ABU DHABI // More than two tonnes of the banned tobacco-based drug niswar were seized by police and municipality officers during a raid at a farm in Samha.

Raw materials and processing equipment, including blenders and shredders used to process the drug, were found at the makeshift lab, allegedly run by 17 Asians.

“This has been taken to crack down on illegal activities threatening community health,” said Ali Musabbah Al Kaabi, head of the Health Activities Control Section at Abu Dhabi Municipality.

“It illustrates the keenness of Abu Dhabi City Municipality on public health and safety.”

Mr Al Kaabi said niswar can pose a serious health risk.

“The chemicals used in the processing of niswar render it dangerous and poisonous,” he said.

He called on members of the public to report any suspicious activity.

“These practices, which are contrary to the public health and hygiene stipulations, constitute a serious threat to the safety of individuals as they are practised in an unlicensed manner and contradict the values of the UAE community,” he said.

In March, two Pakistani men were each sentenced to 25 years in prison after attempting to smuggle large quantities of niswar and tramadol into the UAE.

ksinclair@thenational.ae