Dubai Police seize 130kg heroin at Jebel Ali Port

The Anti-Narcotics Department of Dubai Police seized 130 kilograms of heroin worth about Dh65 million at Jebel Ali Port.

Major-General Abdul Jalil Mehdi, Director of General Department of Anti-Narcotics, said on Sunday, the operation codenamed 'Confused Container', had begun in July 23 when the department was alerted of a shipment of iron filings arriving from Pakistan that allegedly contained drugs.

It's amazing that the shipment from Port Qasim in Pakistan, travelled to three other destinations (Salalah port in Oman, Port Tinkan in Nigeria, Tangier port in Morocco) before reaching Jebel Ali Port in October, and the drug was not spotted, said Jalil Mehdi. He added that it was hidden in wooden crates inside the container comprising iron filings. The smell of the drug was suppressed by the strong smell of iron. Each wooden crate carried 500-700grams of heroin, he said.

The shipment was scheduled to return to Port Qasim in Pakistan on October 12. The shipment constantly changed routes as the gang grew suspicious.

Following the tip-off, oficials of Anti-Narcotics Department, identified the container and inspectedit. However, initial scanning did not reveal any drug. Then the officials manually serached the container when they found heroin bags concealed between iron fillets, said Jalil Mehdi.

Initial investigations revealed an international gang is behind the operation. The names of alleged suspects have been sent to Pakistani officials to follow-up, he added.
 

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