(MENAFN - Khaleej Times) Two undercover police officers were shot at and wounded by a suspected drug dealer during a sting operation in Bani Yas on Monday night. The police have not detailed the gravity of their injuries.
The police have arrested two suspects, including an Emirati, who allegedly shot at the policemen.
The injured policemen were taken to a government hospital for treatment, but the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Tuesday ordered a private jet to take the injured cops abroad "to continue their treatment after their health condition becomes stable", said a police statement.
State news agency Wam reported that "a first lieutenant and a sergeant, posing as buyers, told the drug dealers over the phone of their interest to buy 20kg of hashish worth Dh228,000".
Brigadier Hamad Ahmed Al Hamadi, Director of the Criminal Investigation Department, identified the shooter as 26-year-old Emirati M. Kh., and his accomplice as 19-year-old Yemeni F.A.
According to Wam, M. Kh. became suspicious as he approached the two anti-narcotics agents who were waiting in their car. He took his weapon out, shot them and then fled in his car. Other police officers followed the car but had to stop the chase over concern for other road users.
F.A. was arrested on the spot while M. Kh. managed to escape. However, he was apprehended two hours later by the border guards at Al Madam while trying to leave the country.
Initial investigation revealed that M. Kh. shot at the policemen for fear of being caught and to hide his crime by any means.
The police said the Emirati suspect was jobless and was dismissed by his previous employer for his aggressive behaviour. He also has poor education, the police added.
Lt-General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, stressed the Interior Ministry's determination to continue efforts in rooting out the menace of drugs and prosecute drug traffickers whatever the challenges and risks faced by the police.
"Drug pushers will have no place among us," he stated.
He commended the "heroic act" of the two officers as "worthy of appreciation and respect by everyone".
In order to allay the fear and anxiety by residents of Bani Yas, police patrols were deployed in the area.
