Humantraffickingcases inDubaidecline

Only five cases recorded in the first half of this year, with decrease noted in past 3 years

There were only five cases of human trafficking recorded by Dubai Police in the first half of this year. Major General Khalil Ebrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant to the Dubai Police Chief for Criminal Investigation Affairs, said that the number of human trafficking cases has decreased over the past three years. In 2013 there were 11 cases, 21 in 2012 and 24 in 2011.

He said none of the cases involved children or organ trade.

Dubai Police recently received a letter of thanks from US and Australian authorities for helping to identify a Latin American man who was later arrested in the US, wanted on suspicion of human trafficking and money laundering, Maj Gen Al Mansouri said.

The man had been living in oneof theemirates for sixmonths after he changed his personal information and entered the UAE using another passport. Maj Gen Al Mansouri clarified that the mandidnot commit anyof these crimes in the UAE.

Colonel Abdul Rahim Shafea, Director of Dubai Police’s Antiorganised crime department, said that one of the five human trafficking cases involved an Arab woman who was being sexually exploited.

He said the woman managed to escape from her captors and seek the police’s help. The woman said that she was told she was coming to Dubai to work in a salon, but was shockedwhen her passportwas taken away from her by a gang of three Arab men, who later forced her into prostitution.

The woman was taken to a care centre in Abu Dhabi, and themen were transferred to the public prosecution.

Col Shafea said the department of anti- organised crime is divided into three sections: anti- human trafficking, antiterrorism and anti- money laundering.

He said that there are ongoing discussions at the Federal National Council for amending the law pertaining to money laundering, adding that Dubai Police have already made some suggestions.

“Some of the suggestions included the inclusion of alcohol and drug trafficking as part of money laundering crimes and giving police more jurisdiction over receiving complaints about money laundering alongside the central bank,” he said.