Transnational Drug Crime: A Case Study of the United Arab Emirates’ Response to Emerging Threats

Abstract

This study examines the impact of transnational crime (particularly drug-related crimes) on security governance in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in light of the rapid transformations in patterns of organized crime worldwide and the complex security, legislative, and societal challenges they impose. The study is grounded in the core premise that drugs are no longer merely a public health or conventional criminal issue; rather, they have evolved into a multidimensional threat affecting societal, economic, and political security, closely linked to transnational criminal networks that exploit technological advancement, legal loopholes, and the ease of movement of capital and individuals. The research adopts a descriptive–analytical approach to analyze relevant literature, prior studies, international conventions, and United Nations reports—most notably those issued by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)—in addition to examining the UAE’s experience in combating drug crimes from a security governance perspective. The findings indicate that transnational drug-related crime is characterized by complex organizational and technological dimensions, rendering traditional security responses insufficient unless supported by an integrated security governance framework based on clear policies, institutional role integration, and high-quality planning and response mechanisms. The results further show that the UAE has adopted a comprehensive and balanced approach that combines strict security deterrence, broad community-based prevention, rehabilitation and treatment programs, advanced use of digital technologies, and strengthened regional and international cooperation. The study also confirms that the success of countering drug crimes should not be measured solely by the volume of seizures or the number of cases, but rather by the state’s ability to build a well governed security system grounded in anticipation, coordination, transparency, and respect for the rule of law.