Sharjah Police's anti-drug units successfully foiled the operations of an international criminal syndicate comprising 32 individuals of Asian and Arab descent in an operation dubbed 'Operation Curtain Unveiled.' This criminal group had attempted to smuggle a substantial quantity of narcotics and more than one million psychotropic substances into the United Arab Emirates. The total estimated value of the seized illegal substances was an astonishing Dh14 million. Notably, this operation was carried out in cooperation with security agencies from neighboring nations.
Colonel Majid Al Assam, the Director of the Anti-Narcotics Department at Sharjah Police, revealed that the department received a tip from an informant about the existence of an international criminal network planning to import narcotics for distribution and trade within the UAE. The gang had employed sophisticated methods to conduct their operations covertly, evading detection. Following the confirmation of this intelligence, Sharjah Police's anti-narcotics units established a surveillance and investigative team. Through diligent evidence collection and round-the-clock monitoring, this team apprehended one group in possession of 50 kg of cannabis and 49 liters of liquid crystal.
Upon further interrogation, it was revealed that this group was receiving instructions from an overseas contact. Subsequent investigations uncovered an extensive criminal network operating across multiple countries, with other groups executing similar activities. A clandestine warehouse in a neighboring emirate served as the gang's central hub for storing illegal substances. Sharjah Police detained the remaining gang members and confiscated over one million and 170 thousand psychotropic pills. The gang had devised two novel methods for smuggling narcotic substances: first, they exploited a customs clearance company's services to smuggle illegal psychotropic substances, and secondly, they concealed liquid crystal narcotics within vehicles entering the country.
Nevertheless, their schemes were thwarted by the police, leading to alterations in some customs clearance procedures for goods in cooperation with the country's customs authorities. This collaborative effort underscores the commitment of various agencies within the country to combat the narcotics trade and mitigate its impact on the community.
The Director of the Narcotics Administration reaffirmed that Sharjah Police will continue to proactively target individuals involved in drug trafficking. The force remains vigilant and continually adopts the latest methods and techniques to combat organized crime.
Sharjah Police urged members of the community, particularly young people, to contribute to the safeguarding of society against drug infiltration by reporting any suspicious cases. They can do so by calling 8004654 or emailing dea@shjpolice.gov.ae."