In a major victory against global narcotics trafficking, Sharjah Police have successfully dismantled an international drug smuggling network that operated across Canada, Spain, and the UAE, arresting seven suspects and seizing 131 kilograms of narcotic and psychotropic substances.
This sophisticated operation marks one of the largest cross-border anti-drug efforts in recent UAE history and highlights the nation’s unwavering commitment to maintaining internal security and combating international drug cartels.
🔍 Sting Operation Unmasks Global Drug Route
The sting began with a multi-agency investigation into suspicious shipping activity at ports in Toronto (Canada), Málaga (Spain), and UAE maritime terminals. Authorities uncovered a shipping container disguised as carrying car spare parts, which in reality concealed large quantities of narcotics.
Sharjah Police, in coordination with federal and international partners, closely monitored the container’s movement. Inside, officers found:
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131 kg of narcotics and psychotropic drugs
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9,945 drug capsules
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Custom concealment devices
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GPS-tracking tools used for contactless handovers
👨👩👧👦 Family Used as Cover for Smuggling
Among those arrested was a suspect who allegedly used his wife and two young children as a cover to smuggle drugs through UAE ports. Sharjah’s undercover units had been monitoring the family’s travel patterns, and it was their routine analysis and surveillance that led to uncovering the operation.
“This was a well-organized attempt to exploit trust and family image as a front for international crime,” said a Sharjah Police official.
👥 Five Local Accomplices Also Captured
In addition to the primary suspect, five other individuals of Asian origin were arrested for facilitating domestic distribution of the seized narcotics. These suspects are believed to be part of a logistics cell responsible for handling drug drop-offs at GPS-tagged locations—a method often used by high-level cartels to avoid detection.
🛡️ UAE’s Ongoing War Against Drugs
Brigadier Majid Sultan Al Asam, Head of Sharjah’s Anti-Narcotics Department, reaffirmed the UAE’s resolve in its national anti-drug strategy:
“Our teams are highly trained and constantly prepared to tackle such threats. This case is another example of our success in keeping dangerous substances off our streets.”
Meanwhile, Brigadier Abdulrahman Al Owais, Deputy Director General of Federal Anti-Narcotics, praised the cross-border intelligence sharing and cooperation, stating:
“This operation reflects the power of our strategic partnerships. Internal collaboration and international coordination ensure the UAE remains among the world’s safest countries.”
🌍 Global Coordination: From Toronto to Málaga to Sharjah
The investigation is believed to have started following alerts from Canadian port authorities in Toronto, followed by matching signals detected in Malaga, Spain, and finally in UAE waters. A global watch was placed on specific shipping containers flagged for unusual routing and manifest inconsistencies.
This high-level cooperation between Canadian, Spanish, and Emirati authorities reflects the new age of counter-narcotics efforts, where global coordination is essential to shutting down multi-country trafficking chains.
⚖️ Legal Action Underway
All seven suspects are now in custody and have been referred to judicial authorities. Further investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest additional operatives believed to be part of this syndicate abroad.
Officials confirmed that the UAE’s Ministry of Interior will continue tracking the international branches of this criminal network.
📢 MOI Public Announcement
The UAE Ministry of Interior posted a video announcement about the sting operation on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, captioned:
“وزارة الداخلية تلاحق امتدادات دولية لعصابة مخدرات تنشط بين كندا وإسبانيا… بعد أن أطاحت شرطة الشارقة بشبكة عابرة للحدود وضبطت شحنة بحرية ضخمة.”
🧠 What This Means for the UAE
The operation highlights:
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UAE’s zero-tolerance stance on drug trafficking
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The power of global intelligence networks
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The evolving tactics traffickers now use—including family disguises and GPS drops
It also sends a strong warning to criminal syndicates: the UAE’s surveillance capabilities, maritime monitoring, and international policing partnerships are stronger and more active than ever before.
✅ Key Takeaways:
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131 kg of narcotics seized
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7 suspects arrested, including a family man using children as cover
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Global sting operation involving Canada, Spain, and UAE
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Ongoing investigation aims to track international network leaders
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UAE reaffirms its position as one of the safest nations globally
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