DUBAI // Police have seized almost half a tonne of hashish which was smuggled into the country hidden in a lorry.
The vast haul, weighing 457kg, was concealed in a lorry travelling into the UAE from Oman, Dubai Police said yesterday.
The drugs are believed to have originated in Pakistan or Afghanistan, and were heading for an unspecified GCC country, police said.
The vehicle entered the UAE on June 8, and officers tracked it over the following days.
It was stopped on Emirates Road on June 12, when police discovered 11 sacks of cannabis inside the trailer. Three suitcases filled with the drug were also found in the cabin behind the driver's seat.
Four people were arrested. A search is under way for two other suspects believed to have held key roles in the operation.
Major Gen Khamis Mattar al Mezaina, the deputy chief of Dubai Police, said one of the missing suspects had fled to an Arab nation, and the other to a GCC state. Both are being pursued by Interpol.
"This large haul was not intended to be distributed in the Emirates," said Gen al Mezaina. "The UAE does not have a consumer market for such a large quantity."
Maj Gen Abdel Jalil Mahdi, the director of the police anti-narcotics department, said the shipment originated in Pakistan or Afghanistan. "The drugs were shipped to an Arab country and from there were smuggled through another before reaching Dubai," he said.
Police in Dubai were tipped off by Omani authorities and surveillance was launched at all border crossings.
"Investigations and close surveillance led us to believe the apprehended truck was the one carrying the drugs," Maj Gen Mahdi said. "We tracked the driver at all his stops and investigated his acquaintances, revealing that he was due to deliver the narcotics to another driver who was going to transport it to a neighbouring country."
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
FINAL RESULT
Sharjah Wanderers 20 Dubai Tigers 25 (After extra-time)
Wanderers
Tries: Gormley, Penalty
cons: Flaherty
Pens: Flaherty 2
Tigers
Tries: O’Donnell, Gibbons, Kelly
Cons: Caldwell 2
Pens: Caldwell, Cross
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Cape Town Sevens on Saturday and Sunday: Pools A – South Africa, Kenya, France, Russia; B – New Zealand, Australia, Spain, United States; C – England, Scotland, Argentina, Uganda; D – Fiji, Samoa, Canada, Wales
HSBC World Sevens Series standing after first leg in Dubai 1 South Africa; 2 New Zealand; 3 England; 4 Fiji; 5 Australia; 6 Samoa; 7 Kenya; 8 Scotland; 9 France; 10 Spain; 11 Argentina; 12 Canada; 13 Wales; 14 Uganda; 15 United States; 16 Russia
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