Several cases of attempted sale of illicit drugs via social media reported in the country, says interior ministry

  ABU DHABI – The UAE government has intensified its crackdown on drug dealers who sell illicit drugs online. This after the interior ministry revealed that several cases of attempts to sell and promote illegal drugs via social networking sites have been reported in the country. The ministry said in a statement: "These contacts from foreign countries include messages from Pakistan that carry pictures of narcotic drugs and ask for money transfers in order to receive them." To recall, Abu Dhabi Police arrested in September last year an alleged drug dealer who called himself "The Ghost" on suspicion of using Facebook to sell illicit drugs. In a press conference yesterday, Col. Eid Thani, director of the Dubai Police anti-narcotics department, said his department is doubling their efforts against the trafficking of illegal drugs into the UAE. "Thirty-eight websites inciting crime and promoting drugs websites were blocked by Dubai Police last year. Spice (a mixture of herbs and chemicals and also known as synthetic marijuana) is among the most common drugs advertised online," he said. From January to April this year, Dubai police said they have identified and monitored 4,279 websites promoting or selling illegal drugs Meanwhile, Ma.j Gen. Khalil Al Mansouri, assistant commander of the Dubai Police criminal investigation division (CID), warned against the use of websites, social media and online games to spread extremism. "I warn against the dangers of the internet and electronic games on young people. These websites incite the youth to imitate world criminals and underestimate community values," said Al Mansouri. He urged the public, security services and managers of gaming facilities to curb access and spread of the sites, adding that parents should supervise their children while using the Internet and bar them from talking to strangers online. 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