Dubai police hosts workshop to combat drug promotion on social media

Dubai police, in collaboration with the GCC-Criminal Information Center to Combat Drugs and the Hemaya International Center, recently organized a workshop titled Preventing the Exploitation of Social Media for Drug Promotion at the Dubai Police Officers’ Club.

The event drew participation from senior officials including Major General Eid Mohammed Thani Harib, Assistant Commandant for Criminal Investigation Affairs; Dr Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, Chairman of the UAE Government Cybersecurity Council; Brigadier Khalid Bin Muwaiza, Director of the General Department of Anti-Narcotics; Brigadier Dr Abdul Rahman Sharaf Al Mamari, Director of the Hemaya International Center; and Colonel Mohammed Abdullah Al Khater, Director of the GCC-Criminal Information Center to Combat Drugs. Representatives from the United Nations, the Arab Office for Drug Combat, the Australian Federal Police, and Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force also attended.

According to WAM, Major General Thani Harib highlighted that the workshop aligns with directives from the 41st GCC Interior Ministers’ meeting in Doha, aiming to develop effective strategies to prevent the misuse of social media for drug promotion and distribution. He noted that the event facilitated the sharing of expertise and best practices to strengthen community protection against digital threats.

Brigadier Bin Muwaiza emphasized the involvement of several social media platforms in discussions on user safety, content transparency, privacy, and corporate responsibility. He said the sessions focused on countering criminal networks attempting to exploit digital platforms for illegal drug sales.

The first session, Introduction to Digital Crime in Drug Sales, featured presentations by Aymeric Salamone from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Lieutenant Colonel Saeed Musbah Al Nuaimi from the GCC-Criminal Information Center, and First Lieutenant Engineer Ahmed Saeed Al Ameri of Dubai Police. Speakers highlighted the use of artificial intelligence in monitoring and analyzing social media accounts linked to drug-related activity.

The second session, Methods of Promotion and Lure, addressed emerging cyber threats in the digital era. Dr Al Kuwaiti highlighted the UAE’s global leadership in cybersecurity and the importance of ongoing measures to tackle evolving risks. EDGE representatives shared strategies to curb online drug sales, while Mohammed Bin Thani, Director of IT Security at the Dubai Cyber Security Center, discussed raising personal awareness in cybersecurity.

The workshop concluded with a call for enhanced regional cooperation to ensure social media remains a safe space for communication, cultural exchange, and community wellbeing.