Available estimates place the number of prostitutes in Dubai at 30,000, out of a total population of 1.5 million people.

Source:  William Butler, “Why Dubai’s Islamic austerity is a sham – sex is for sale in every bar,” Observer, May 16, 2010.

In 2009, there were 43 cases of human trafficking in the United Arab Emirates, up from 20 in 2008.

Source: Haneen Daijani, “Human trafficking cases more than double,” The National, May 10, 2010.

The following are the number of human trafficking cases handled by police in Dubai.

2006- 7 cases.

2007-23 cases.

2008-18 cases.

2009-23 cases involving 33 victims. 88 percent of the victims in 2009 were female, and 12 percent of victims were under the age of 18.

Source:  Siham Al Najami, “Dubai Police fight intensified battle against human trafficking,” Gulf News, April 26, 2010.

The United States Ambassador to Afghanistan reported in December 2009 that up to $10 Million in opium money is being funneled to the United Arab Emirates every day.

Source:  Zawya Dow Jones, “FOCUS: Dubai’s Dark Side Exposed By Al Mabhouh Killing,” Wall Street Journal, March 4, 2010.

In 2009, Dubai customs seized more than a hundred cultural artifacts that were smuggled from Iraq.

Source:  Tamara Walid, “Dubai foils new attempt to smuggle Iraq artefacts,” Reuters, February 10, 2010.

According to a report by KPMG, the following are losses due to counterfeiting that occur in the United Arab Emirates.

• Food and Beverage: $9.5 Million
• Cigarettes: $15.49 Million
• Household Products: $3.4 Million
• Auto Parts: $476.8 Million
• Pharmaceutical Drugs: $1.3 Million
• Cosmetics: $37.7 Million

Total losses to counterfeit goods based on these products: $544.1 Million.

Source: KPMG, “Economic Impact Study : Analyzing Counterfeit Products in the United Arab Emirates,” January 2008, page 10.

Cigarette smuggling in the United Arab Emirates was estimated to generate $350 million.

Source:  Jim Cusack, “Smugglers now in fake drugs racket,” Independent, August 2, 2009.