National Anti‑Narcotics Authority (Federal Decree‑Law No. 2 of 2025)
Summary: The UAE government has established a federal authority named the National Anti‑Narcotics Authority (the “Authority”) to combat drug trafficking and related offences.
Establishment and Headquarters
The Authority was created under Federal Decree‑Law No. 2 of 2025 and is headquartered in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It replaces the General Department of Anti‑Narcotics of the Ministry of Interior in all financial and legal rights and obligations.
Leadership and Composition
The Authority will be led by a President of the rank of minister, who will oversee and approve the Authority’s actions. A Director General from the military cadre will assist the President. The Authority will also consist of:
- Non‑commissioned officers, enlisted officers, and the police and security forces of any Emirate of the UAE;
- Civilians appointed, seconded, or transferred to the Authority in accordance with the Authority’s regulations and applicable laws;
- Military personnel or civilians employed in any of the police and security forces of any Emirate of the UAE.
Obligations of the National Anti‑Narcotics Authority (Article 4)
Article 4 of Federal Decree‑Law No. 2 of 2025 sets out the main obligations of the Authority, including:
- Combating drug trafficking by pursuing and apprehending drug smuggling and distribution networks, and referring offenders to the competent judicial authorities.
- Developing strategies and legislation related to narcotic drugs, the patterns of associated offences, and the means of combating them.
- Monitoring, inspecting, and tracking persons, goods, and means of transport to prevent the entry or exit of narcotic drugs from the UAE, and coordinating with other countries regarding drug trafficking.
- Proposing accession to international treaties and conventions, and proposing memoranda of understanding and partnership agreements with countries, as well as with Gulf, regional, and international organisations and bodies relating to the Authority’s competences, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and concerned entities.
- Preparing policies and controls around the circulation and use of chemical precursors used for non‑medical purposes.
- Assisting in the supervision of medical and pharmaceutical establishments to prevent the unlawful sale or dispensing of medicines or medical products containing narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances.
- Managing a platform for tracking narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
- Following up on the treatment and rehabilitation of addicts, and raising awareness about drug abuse and addiction.
- Preparing studies on the effect of applying penalties related to possession, use, or distribution of narcotic drugs, assessing the need to increase or reduce such penalties, replacing them with other measures, or decriminalizing certain uses of narcotic substances in light of such studies, and submitting recommendations to the Council of Ministers.
- Representing the UAE in regional and international organisations, exhibitions, and conferences within the Authority’s fields of competence, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Exercising any other competences conferred upon the Authority pursuant to laws, regulations, or Cabinet decisions.
Powers of the National Anti‑Narcotics Authority (Articles 11–12)
Under Article 11, the President of the Authority will have law enforcement capacity and may seek assistance from the police and security forces when needed. Military members of the Authority will also have enforcement capacity to apprehend offenders committing crimes within their competences, in accordance with applicable legislation. This enforcement capacity may be granted to civilian members by decision of the Minister of Justice in agreement with the President.
Article 12 requires UAE entities to cooperate and coordinate with the Authority to carry out its tasks. Article 9 provides that the Authority will be subject to the oversight of the Emirates Audit Institution, in accordance with UAE legislation.
Conclusion
The National Anti‑Narcotics Authority established by Federal Decree‑Law No. 2 of 2025 aims to unify and strengthen federal and local efforts to combat drug‑related crimes, ensuring the safety and well‑being of communities across the UAE. By streamlining intelligence flow and aligning national goals, the UAE seeks to establish a more resilient and responsive framework to address drug‑related issues.
