ABU DHABI: Suspected drug dealers have shot and wounded two undercover police officers during an arrest operation in Bani Yas, state news agency WAM reported Tuesday.

"A first lieutenant and his colleague, a staff sergeant, came under fire in Bani Yas from drug dealers as the police officers tried to arrest them" Monday evening in the town, west of Abu Dhabi city, WAM reported.

Both men were wounded and taken to a government hospital, it added.

The suspects, a 19-year-old Yemeni and a 26-year-old Emirati, were eventually arrested.

They were allegedly trying to sell 20 kilogrammes (44 pounds) of hashish.

The United Arab Emirates has very strict drug laws, and customs occasionally announces drug seizures in the country, where narcotics use is strictly prohibited.

Trafficking in illegal narcotics is punishable by death, though the sentences are often reduced to life imprisonment.