Dubai Police step up narcotics vigil

The Anti-Narcotics Department of Dubai Police has cracked 493 cases in the first few months of this year, according to a senior police official. Major General Abdul Jalil Mahdi, head of the department, attributed its success to Dubai Police's strategy to deal with the drug menace and strict instructions from Dubai Police chief, Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, not to show any leniency when it comes to drug cases. He also lauded the efficiency of enforcement officials and the international security agencies working in tandem with the police. The comments were made at the conclusion of the World Anti Narcotics Day celebrations. Maj Gen Mahdi also reserved praise for the Chemical Precursors Control Section, which monitors firms dealing in chemicals to prevent misuse of narcotics or psychotropic substances in line with the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988. The police strategy includes field visits to companies dealing in chemical precursors and surprise inspections to monitor imported and exported stocks. Article continues below Such inspections led to a total of 23 administrative violations and subsequent warnings to the concerned companies, he said. Dubai Police's excellent relations with other security bodies and anti-narcotic authorities around the world had also helped their anti-narcotics operations, Maj Gen Mahdi said. Focusing on prevention had also helped combat drugs, with the most important aspect being family awareness, he said, adding that the department organised two awareness campaigns in the first five months of the year to spread awareness about the negative effects of drugs and the responsibility of families and the community in combating the evil.