BIG HEADS IN DRUG GANGS HAVE FALLEN

DUBAI - "Big heads" in drug gangs have fallen thanks to the efforts of police's anti-drugs agency, the Dubai Police chief said on Friday.

The statement by Lieutenant-General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, came as the country prepared to mark the International Anti-Drugs Day today.  He said the achievements realised in the fights against drugs had been possible with the unlimited support from the President, His Highness Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, His Highness Shaikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Their Highnesses Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the emirates.

"The achievements of the CID and anti-narcotics operatives in the fight against the menace of drugs could not have been possible without the material and moral support of men whose aim is to protect the country.  To protect nationals and expatriates on this land is a collective responsibility," said Lt-Gen.  Dhahi.

He said good results were achieved by the National Anti-Drugs Committee whose efforts were recognised regionally and internationally.

He lauded the support and directives of General Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence, who is also Head of Dubai Police and Public Security, who encouraged anti-narcotics policemen to exert extra efforts to rid the society of the menace of drugs.

The police chief also lauded the efforts and directives of Staff Lieutenant-General Mohammed Saeed Al Badi, the Interior Minister, and Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Under-Secretary of the Interior Ministry.  Lt-Gen.  Dhahi said police had been successful in creating partnerships and boosting cooperation among agencies to bring about desired results in the fight against drugs and bringing criminals to justice.

Colonel Abdul Jalil Mohammed Mahdi, deputy head of the Anti-Narcotics Department at Dubai Police, said efforts by Dubai Police had contributed to the foiling of many international drug smuggling operations.

He said cooperation with other agencies and the exchange of information were behind the success in cracking down on smugglers, peddlers and individuals involved in drug abuse.

He stressed the role played by Brigadier Khamis Mattar Al Mazainah, director of the CID, whose fieldwork was a major boost to anti-narcotics operations.  Col.  Mahdi said that Lt-Gen.  Dhahi, who headed the National Anti-Drugs Committee between 1999 and 2001, had been a supporter of awareness campaigns aimed at educating the public on the dangers of drugs.

He said a particular stress was laid on protecting children against the danger of drug abuse.  He said the anti-narcotics authorities had launched the initiative involving telephone numbers that receive any reports from individuals on drug abuse cases confidentially ( 04-2663783 and 04-2661816 ).

He said information received was dealt with in complete confidentiality and the goal has always been to treat addicts without taking any legal actions against them, and to help them return to society as good individuals.  Col.  Mahdi extended thanks to all government agencies that cooperated with police in the rehabilitation of drug addicts.