Dubai Police have arrested a suspected gang of drug dealers thought to have sold Dh12 million of illegal narcotics in two years.
Officers said the men, all aged between 18 and 30, used the social messaging service WhatsApp to help distribute the drugs to users.
After a tip-off from a member of the public, police raided a printing shop in the emirate and arrested an employee.
A search of his home uncovered quantities of drugs and also led to a bank worker suspected of laundering the drug money.
“The gang members used social media platforms to promote drugs,” said Maj Gen Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansoori, of Dubai Police.
“After receiving payments, they transferred it from one member's bank account to another before it finally reached the mastermind's account.”
Brig Eid Mohammed Thani Hareb, head of narcotics, said the suspects - believed to be a gang of at least four - had been referred to public prosecutors.
“The total amount of hidden transfers he [the bank employee] had made over the past two years amounted to Dh12m,” he said.
