ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 5  -- Five investigators with the United Arab Emirates Interior Ministry were arrested on suspicion of accepting bribes, police said.,

Col. Maktoum al-Sharifi of the Abu Dhabi Police said the five men, whose ages ranged from 19 to 24, all worked as Emirati inspectors for the interior ministry, al-Arabiya reported Friday.

The Criminal and Investigative Directorate investigators are suspected of accepting bribes from individuals in charge of illegal bars and brothels.

The investigators' alleged actions came to light after a number of complaints were made about attempted extortion of Abu Dhabi brothels and alcohol venders, al-Arabiya said.

Police also arrested three Asian nationals who allegedly had been serving as the investigators' informers in the crime world.

"Everyone is in the same boat when it comes to legal accountability," al-Sharifi said. "They are not representing the Interior Ministry's members. They have brought shame on themselves and their families." (UPI)