Bahrain played a key role in an international operation that led to the seizure of more than 820 tonnes of drugs worth over $2.9 billion, and arrest of more than 12,000 suspects.
The operation was conducted in co-operation with the European Law Enforcement Agency (Europol) and the International Police Organisation of the Americas (Ameripol), with the participation of 25 countries from all continents.
“The value of the seized items in this major operation, which lasted over two months, from June 10 to August 7, 2025, exceeded $2.9bn,” said an Interior Ministry statement. “The weight of the seized items exceeded 822 tonnes, and a total of 12,564 suspects were arrested.”
Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa praised the success of the qualitative anti-drug operation carried out by the International Security Alliance countries and said it reflected the capabilities and security co-ordination potential of the alliance.
He pointed out that the exchange of expertise related to smuggling methods and the efforts of member states and international partners can achieve exceptional results in the field of drug control.
He expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the UAE for its unique security initiative in establishing the alliance and for supporting its General Secretariat, headquartered in Abu Dhabi.
He praised the UAE’s distinguished regional role and its commitment to strengthening the pillars of regional security and stability.
UAE National Anti-Narcotics Authority chairman Shaikh Zayed bin Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan noted the country’s commitment to strengthening joint international action and building global partnerships to combat such cross-border crimes.
“The US police community, through the Specialised Drug Control Centre and in close co-operation with the International Security Assistance Force (ISA) and Europol, has demonstrated that a joint strategy is essential to pre-empting, dismantling, and neutralising drug trafficking threats,” Ameripol General Secretariat said in a statement yesterday. “The counter-narcotics operation is a solid step towards a safer future.”
Several countries from the International Security Alliance participated in this unique operation, including the UAE, France, Bahrain, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Italy and Morocco.
Also participating from the Ameripol countries were Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Venezuela and Peru. From the EUROPOL countries, Croatia and Belgium took part, along with the Maldives, Jordan and Nepal.
The International Security Alliance, established in 2017, currently comprises 11 member countries. It works to combat all aspects of organised crime, such as drug crimes, money laundering, cybercrime, human trafficking, and crimes affecting children, such as sexual exploitation.
Areas of co-operation among the alliance countries include joint exercises and training, capacity building, joint operations, projects and information exchange.
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