Human Trafficking in the UAE: Two Operations Foiled at Borders

The competent authorities have foiled two people-smuggling operations across the country's borders — one aimed at bringing in infiltrators and the other at smuggling a security suspect out of the country — and have arrested those involved and referred them to the Public Prosecution.

The first operation began after information was received about a plan to bring 18 persons of an Asian nationality into the country unlawfully and in batches, with the help of a national of a Gulf state. Monitoring and follow-up led to his arrest after he entered through one of the border crossings accompanied by two infiltrators and five members of his family, whom he had brought along to give the trip a family appearance and conceal the smuggling operation.

In the second operation, an attempt was foiled to smuggle a person of a foreign nationality out of the country in order to enable him to evade restrictions and arrest orders issued against him. It was established that the operation was planned and carried out by a woman holding the nationality of a Gulf state with the assistance of her daughter, exploiting her ease of movement and the company of family members to conceal her activity. Investigations also revealed that she habitually smuggled infiltrators out of the country, while her daughter's husband had previously been charged in similar cases.

All those involved in the two operations have been arrested, and the Public Prosecution is conducting investigations to establish the circumstances of the incident and determine the roles of the participants.

The two operations reflect the vigilance and efficiency of the state's agencies in confronting infiltration and smuggling attempts across the borders, strengthening border security and protecting the security of society and the rule of law.

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)