MOST WANTED DRUG DEALER ARRESTED

The Specialized Penal Prosecution is still investigating with what security
sources called the most dangerous drug dealer in Yemen Ali Abdullah bin
Hitiqan Al-Saya'ri.

Al-Saya'ri was arrested by security forces last week in Shabwa province and
was sent to Sana'a. A security source revealed that armed elements tried to
intercept the security vehicles that transferred Al-Saya'ri and both sides
exchange fire.

The exchange of fire resulted in killing 7 soldiers as their vehicle rolled
over. The armed elements, boarding eight vehicles, fled the scene as soon
as reinforcements arrived in the area without being able to release Al-Saya'ri.

The security forces arrested Al-Saya'ri last week in a check-point while he
was boarding his Hummer vehicle.

In related news, the Specialized Penal Court received the file of another
drug dealer accused of smuggling 715,000 drug pills who was arrested last
June in Sana'a International Airport.

In an effort to trick security officials, the defendant hid the drugs
inside water heaters. Similarly, 11 Iranian sailors are trailed over
possessing and trading in drugs after being arrested early this year in
Al-Maharah province.

Though it is not a consuming country, Yemen has turned into a transit
country for drugs exported to Gulf countries from the Southeast of Asia.
Security guards have seized big quantities of drugs this year in different
ways.