Ten arrested in raid on people smuggling vessel off UAE coast

This content was originally posted in 7DAYS UAE website at: Ten arrested in raid on people smuggling vessel off UAE coast Two men were found unconscious and crammed into a metal tank onboard a vessel that was also loaded with narcotics as it attempted to dock in the UAE. Police and the Ministry of Interior yesterday released details of the people smuggling and drug smuggling attempts of the crew on the shio that was seized at Khalid Port in Sharjah. Drugs squad officers said 11.5kg of hashish and 142,700 tramadol pills were found hidden around the vessel. The drugs had been stuffed into cylinders and pumps used to empty oil from car engines. A total of 10 people onboard the ship have been arrested. Two of the men, both Iranian, were found hidden in a tank and were being smuggled into the country with the knowledge of the ship’s captain, officials said. Colonel Saeed Al Suwaidi, director of the Anti-Narcotics Department at the Ministry of Interior, said: “The ship was stopped at Khalid Port in Sharjah and 11.5kg of hashish and 142,725 narcotic pills were seized. “Two men were also found hiding in the hull with an intention of sneaking into the country illegally.” He added: “The men were exhausted due to the lack of oxygen and high temperatures.” Al Suwaidi said some of the crew detained were also Iranian nationals and the ship has now been seized. Arial shots released by police showed the vessel docked at the port. Lt Colonel Ahmed Abdul Aziz, acting director of the Anti-Narcotics Department at Sharjah Police said: “The ship’s arrival raised suspicion which led to officials to conduct a thorough inspection, after which the people and drugs were discovered.” Officials said the ship’s captain confessed that the hashish and tramadol, a strong, banned painkiller, were being smuggled for a supplier in Iran. He intended to sell them in the UAE through a number of local dealers. Police arrested six of those dealers after setting up sting operations for those expecting the shipment, taking the total number of arrests to 16. All 16 have been referred to public prosecutors to continue the investigation. ismail@7days.ae Read the original story at: Ten arrested in raid on people smuggling vessel off UAE coast