Sharjah police bust international drug ring operating across three continents
In a major victory against transnational crime, Sharjah Police have dismantled a global drug trafficking network that spanned Canada, Spain, and the UAE.
Acting on intelligence and in coordination with international partners, authorities launched a meticulously planned maritime sting, seizing 131 kilograms of narcotics and psychotropic substances.
Seven suspects were arrested, including one man who allegedly used his wife and two young children as cover while smuggling drugs through UAE ports. Undercover teams had tracked the family’s movements in preparation for the bust, according to Gulf News.
The investigation began after suspicious shipments were flagged at ports in Toronto, Málaga, and the UAE, where a container falsely declared as car spare parts was found to conceal drugs.
Five additional suspects, all of Asian origin, were arrested for their roles in local distribution. Authorities said the gang used GPS-tagged drop points to avoid direct handovers — a tactic common in sophisticated drug smuggling operations.
The seizure included 131 kilograms of narcotics, 9,945 drug capsules and concealment and tracking devices.
All suspects are in custody and have been referred to the judiciary.
