Abu Dhabi, Jul 15 (Khaleej Times): Security cooperation between the UAE Ministry of Interior and its Pakistani counterpart has resulted in toppling one of the most dangerous regional networks for drug trafficking.

A network being run by Pakistani national, Akil Khan, from his premises in Pakistan used to supply drugs to addicts in the country in a hassle-free manner. The criminal network included more than 40 members, all of Asian nationality.

Colonel Saeed Abdullah Al Suwaidi, director-general, anti narcotics federal directorate general at the Ministry of Interior, noted that a number of reports of drug use and smuggling had led to the search for its promoters and abusers.

Investigations revealed that drug users received the drugs from a single source - one exclusive distributor. The gang leader would run his operations via the phone from abroad through dozens of promoters in the UAE, all recruited by him.

Col. Al Suwaidi explained that Lt-General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, was informed of the investigation procedures, the challenges the work team faced to arrest the gang leader in another country, and the damages the network had caused in terms of deaths and addiction cases of citizens and residents. Shaikh Saif immediately called for a concerted effort to resolve the matter and to bring down the mastermind and his network as quickly as possible.

According to Col Al Suwaidi, the meticulous plan dubbed "Remote Countering" resulted in the arrest of 40 traffickers and promoters and 80 drug addicts, and the seizing of 150kg of heroin. The arrested suspects were working under the direction of Akil Khan, who has served a prison sentence in Abu Dhabi in 2012 and was deported later. Upon returning home, he established a gang and started working from his house in Pakistan. "Akil Khan was seemingly unaware that the UAE is capable of effectively countering crime that affects the security of its society - regardless of the threat's origin. The breadth of our capabilities stretch across continents," said Col. Al Suwaidi.

Soon after his deportation, Khan formed a network to promote heroin. Based on his extensive relationship with drug addicts which he had established during his time in the UAE, Akil Khan expanded his criminal activity over the past two years until it became a security concern for the anti-narcotics departments in the UAE and neighbouring countries. Khan's name was listed as one of the most dangerous financiers of heroin in the UAE and throughout the Gulf. "He reached a level of insolence and self-confidence that he allowed anyone to contact him directly. He would then provide the drugs to the addicts by having it delivered to them. He gained their trust and confidence by his quick delivery and that too, to their nearest locations," he added.

Col. Al Suwaidi added that the operation took an unconventional turn which resulted in the formation of a federal team to target the suspect in his home in Pakistan. The operation led to the identification of his partners and accomplices within and outside of the UAE alongside identifying the geographical locations related to his activities. "Such efforts were successful and with the members behind bars, resulted in the dismantling of the criminal network," he said.

"The approach to the promotion of narcotics was simple," said Col. Al Suwaidi. "A sum of money had to be transferred from the addict to the gang leader in Pakistan directly without any middlemen. Following the transfer, the addict would receive a phone call from Pakistan guiding him to where the drugs were hidden." The methodology proved challenging for the authorities as they were unable to monitor receipt and delivery operations usually associated with such transactions.

The cooperation between the UAE security bodies and their counterparts in Pakistan not only led to the capture of the gang leader from his den in Peshawar, but also led to the arrest of three of his accomplices who were in possession of 10kg of heroin. "The operation was successful in alleviating the two countries' societies from evil," said Col. Al Suwaidi.

The anti-narcotics federal directorate general expressed its deepest appreciation for the role played by its Pakistani counterparts and for their immediate cooperation with the efforts that benefitted both countries. The directorate also called upon the public to report any criminal activity related to drug trafficking by calling the toll-free number for "Mukafih" Service 80044.