Dubai Police bust gang selling narcotic-flavoured sweets via social media
15 arrested, 48kg of drugs and 1,174 pills seized
DUBAI Police have arrested a gang of 15 people – 10 men and five women – for promoting and selling sweets and chewing gum laced with narcotic and psychoactive substances.
The operation, named Drugs Flavor, uncovered a shocking Dh2.4 million haul in narcotics and pills aimed at the local market through social media.
The arrests were announced during a press conference at the Anti-Drug Awareness Exhibition in Festival City Mall, organised by the General Department of Anti-Narcotics. Officials seized 48 kilogrammes of illicit substances and 1,174 pills as part of the sting.
Online drug sales
Brigadier Dr Abdul Rahman Sharif Al Maamari, Director of the International Hemaya Center, confirmed that the gang operated a sophisticated network using social media to target users in the UAE. The products, marketed as sweets and chewing gum, were found to contain banned narcotics.
Brigadier Abdul Rahman Al Maamari concluded the press conference by urging the public to exercise caution when purchasing certain types of sweets via social media platforms.
— Dubai Policeشرطة دبي (@DubaiPoliceHQ) July 2, 2025
He explained that some products may contain narcotic substances that are legal in other countries but are… pic.twitter.com/7PAQ7bVclH
Al Maamari revealed that the gang consisted of individuals from multiple nationalities and was part of a broader criminal organisation operating from abroad. Intelligence and surveillance efforts enabled officers to monitor their movements before executing a decisive raid on their residence.
AI use in operation
The operation’s success was credited to the expertise of Dubai Police’s specialised teams, bolstered by the use of cutting-edge artificial intelligence systems. Al Maamari said a task force was formed as soon as intelligence was received, allowing authorities to identify the suspects and intercept the shipment before it reached users.
He emphasised the importance of constant vigilance, highlighting that all suspects have now been referred to the Public Prosecution for legal proceedings.
Community warning
Manal Ibrahim, Director of the Security Media Department, warned of the growing threat of narcotics promotion on social media. She urged residents to avoid engaging with unknown messages and report any suspicious communications using Dubai Police’s e-Crime platform or the ‘Police Eye’ feature available on the official app and website.
She also cautioned parents to avoid buying sweets from unverified sources online, stressing that some products may contain substances banned in the UAE, even if legal elsewhere. Ibrahim reiterated Dubai Police’s commitment to raising awareness through education campaigns and digital outreach to safeguard community wellbeing.