UAE police break up heroin network

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Security authorities in the United Arab Emirates raided a heroin smuggling operation that resulted in a record seizure of narcotics.

A raid by UAE police in the Emirate of Sharjah resulted in the arrest of 19 Afghan nationals operating an extensive heroin smuggling operation. Security authorities raided the Afghan network, fronted as a fruit and vegetable stand in Sharjah, and confiscated more than 445 pounds of heroin, the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime reported.

Officials say the amount of heroin confiscated marked the "largest heroin seizure in the Arab world," the release said.

A U.N. report cited Afghanistan as the world's largest supplier of opium, the key ingredient in heroin. The report said the illicit opium smuggling network largely goes to fund extremist activities by the Taliban and other militants in Afghanistan.

"This is a spectacular success for the law enforcement authorities," Mohamed Abdul-Aziz, UNODC representative for the Middle East and North Africa, said in a statement.

"Devious as the traffickers were, the police were always one step ahead. I congratulate the Sharjah and Dubai police for their cooperation, daring and professionalism."