In a major crackdown against narcotics trafficking, Dubai Police have arrested 15 individuals, ten men and five women, who were allegedly part of a drug syndicate that attempted to smuggle and market narcotic substances disguised as candy. The operation, according to officials, targeted young people via social media platforms, and was announced as part of the UAE’s nationwide campaign marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Candy-Laced Drugs Worth Dh2 Million Seized

The criminal network was in possession of 50 kilograms of drugs and 1,100 pieces of drug-laced sweets, with a street value estimated at Dh2 million ($544,588 USD), Dubai Police revealed during a press conference held at Dubai Festival City.Brigadier General Dr Abdul Rahman Sharaf Al-Maamari, Director of the International Protection Centre at the General Department of Narcotics Control, told the local news outlet Khaleej Times that the operation was part of a coordinated arrest involving authorities both inside and outside the UAE.“These were a variety of sweets that contained narcotic substances,” said Al-Maamari. “We seized 50kg of drugs and more than 1,100 tablets mixed with these sweets. The suspects marketed the products on social media platforms, targeting the youth.”

Social Media Targeting and Parental Vigilance Urged

Officials say the group’s primary method of marketing was through social media, a tactic designed to attract young consumers.Al-Maamari stressed the critical role families must play in the digital era, especially when it comes to safeguarding children from drug-related content and criminal influence online.“Regardless of this case or others, we must continue to strengthen awareness efforts,” he said. “Families play a central role in educating their children about the risks of the digital world, especially when it comes to drug promotion or other criminal activities online.”He warned that the average time individuals spend online is seven hours per day, significantly increasing their exposure to harmful or illegal content.While police systems are in place to monitor suspicious activity online, community and family involvement remain crucial.“We call on families to monitor what their children are browsing, the messages they receive, and any suspicious packages or online purchases,” Al-Maamari added. “It’s not just the job of police, it’s a shared responsibility.”

Expanding Awareness Through Community Campaigns

To combat such threats, Dubai Police have scaled up public awareness programmes targeting a wide range of groups including students, parents, blue-collar workers, and delivery drivers.“We visited labour camps, schools, shopping malls and corporate offices,” Al-Maamari said. “This year, we expanded our awareness efforts to four major exhibitions instead of one. We reached 270,000 school students and more than 20,000 university students.”Dubai Police also conduct youth training programmes during summer holidays, focused on critical issues such as cybercrime, bullying, substance abuse, and safe digital behaviour.“This year, the International Protection Centre trained more than 1,300 students across 26 centres,” he stated. “We aim to build security awareness in every age group.”

Public Encouraged to Report Suspicious Activity

Residents have been urged to report any suspicious activities through official channels including:

“We involve students in our operations centres to help them overcome any fear of communicating with the police. We ensure full confidentiality for all reports,” Al-Maamari explained.He also pointed to Article 89 of the UAE’s Anti-Narcotics Law, which offers immunity from legal prosecution to individuals who voluntarily seek treatment or are assisted by family to do so.“Last year, we saw a significant increase in people coming forward for treatment,” he said. “We want the community to know our goal is protection, not punishment.”

A Proactive Strategy Against Drug Crime

According to Al-Maamari, Dubai Police continuously analyse criminal patterns using data from intelligence reports and police cases. This insight is used to shape more effective awareness and intervention strategies.“Our strategy is proactive. We don’t wait for a crisis to happen. We monitor trends, design targeted campaigns, and act early,” he said.