More than 8000 people were arrested in the United Arab Emirates for crimes related to drugs last year, which is an increase of around 20.8% compared to 6,973 people captured in 2020, per a new report from the Ministry of Interior (MoI).
The total number of people arrested in 2021 was 8,428. The new data was released by the Federal Anti-Narcotics Department at the MoI during the International Day for Combating Drugs and Illicit Trafficking on Sunday, June 26.
The report also disclosed that the drug-control authorities managed over 5,677 drug-related cases in the nation in 2021, as compared to 4,810 cases reported in 2020. This shows an increase of 18%.
Authorities stated that drug affliction has adverse effects on the social, health, economic as well as security of people and that high efforts are required to safeguard children from this deadly circle that ruins the country’s future.
Authorities further highlighted that drugs threaten society’s safety and security and destroy families’ stability.
The Deputy Chief of Police and Public Security in Dubai and Chairman of the National Anti-Narcotics Council, Lt Gen Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, stated that the problem of drug trafficking is one of the most critical security challenges faced by the control agencies in the world.
On the other hand, Lt Gen Tamim added that as the world observes the International Day for Combating Drugs and Illicit Trafficking on June 26, undoubtedly, drugs are one of the significant dangerous pests faced by the members of the society, as they lead towards the destruction of the young generation and their future and also push them towards theft, violence and crime.
He also applauded the teamwork between the strategic partners at the state level, from agencies, ministries, government departments, coast guards, border guards, ports, customs, financial control bodies and national rehabilitation centres in the battle against drugs.