UAE and Bahrain authorities have supported a major international operation to smash criminal gangs and seize more than $750m of illicit narcotics.
597 arrests were made in an international drug trafficking operation.
A global operation by the International Security Alliance (ISA), a working group of eleven Ministries of Interior, Justice and Home Affairs, uncovered the vast scale of transnational drug trafficking and dealt a serious blow to organised criminal groups.
UAE supports international drug bust
Illicit narcotics estimated to be worth more than $750m were seized and 597 suspects worldwide were arrested.
The ISA and the Police Community of the Americas (Ameripol) led operation, which was concluded on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, saw participation from 22 countries across the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe and Latin America, with a common aim to disrupt transnational illicit drug trafficking networks and develop new methods to monitor and control flows of various illicit drugs being trafficked by air, land and sea routes.
A two-month long extensive collaboration generated a new batch of intelligence, allowing Member States of the ISA and its partners at Ameripol to conduct thorough investigations of transnational illicit drug trafficking flows and networks.
The global operation resulted in seizure of more than 55 tonnes of various illicit drugs, which are estimated to be worth more than $750m and arrests of 597 suspects around the world.
The operation witnessed participation from member states of the ISA:
- Bahrain
- France
- Israel
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Senegal
- Slovakia
- Spain
- UAE
In addition Ameripol countries supported the operation, including:
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
More illicit narcotics seizures and arrests are expected as part of ongoing investigations and coordination between various participants of the operation.
Speaking about the operation, Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, and Chair of the National Council Against Drugs, said that continuous efforts are made to confront the scourge of drugs in accordance with strategies and plans to protect society and enhance its security and stability.
He also pointed out the importance of international cooperation to enhance the means of protection and combat drugs and their promoters.
He added that the evolving nature of modern criminal organisations demands a sophisticated and coordinated response from law enforcement authorities, and this is what the operation led by the International Security Alliance demonstrated.
According to Lt. Gen. Sheikh Saif, combating transnational crimes requires harmonious international action and joint coordination in order to enhance the security of societies and towards a more secure world.
The successful operation sends a clear message to international criminal groups that cooperation between international law enforcement agencies is something that can be achieved.
Lt. Gen. Sheikh Saif stressed the commitment and determination of the United Arab Emirates to support its law enforcement partners in all countries of the world through cooperation and coordination between international law enforcement experts.
General Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior of Bahrain, hailed the remarkable security operation that included exchanging information with a professional approach.
He noted that the operation reflects the potential of the International Security Alliance and the significance of security cooperation and coordination.
General Sheikh Rashid highlighted that the ISA and Ameripol led operation asserts the importance of the alliance and exchange of information and advanced expertise between member countries as the ultimate way to counter various security threats and reinforce joint efforts to promote regional stability and the protection of international security and peace.
The Minister of Interior thanked Lt. Gen. Sheikh Saif for his comprehensive security initiative and the support provided to the ISA General Secretariat in Abu Dhabi.
He said Lt. Gen. Sheikh Saif’s support represents a security vision and a complete understanding of security incidents and developments and their regional and international implications.
Dr. Andrei Augusto Passos Rodrigues, Executive Secretary of Ameripol and Director-General of Brazilian Federal Police, commended the efficiency of cooperation between Ameripol and the International Security Alliance.
He said: “Today, on the International Day of Against Drug Trafficking, Ameripol and the International Security Alliance have taken an important step in the fight against transnational organised crime.
“Through an unprecedented alliance between the police forces of twelve Latin American countries and the countries of the International Security Alliance, we launched simultaneous actions that involved the seizure of more than $750m in seized drugs, and the arrest of 597 suspects around the world, related to the origin of drugs in Latin America, the countries of transit and destination of the drug (in Africa, Europe and Middle East)..
The operation was coordinated by the International Security Alliance Secretariat, which is hosted by the UAE.
The ISA was established in February 2017, by France and the UAE, with the ultimate objective of protecting the safety of global communities and the prosperity of partner countries by combating organised and transnational crimes.
Follow us on
