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UAE: Drug peddler fined Dh10,000; jail term cancelled

Ras Al Khaimah - He was initially sentenced to a two-year jail term and deportation thereafter.

The Ras Al Khaimah Cassation Court has annulled a jail term and hefty fine ruled against a drug peddler as being null and void.

As per the sheet of indictment, the RAK Public Prosecution had earlier charged two Arabs with possessing and doing drugs.

The duo was found guilty by the RAK Criminal Court, which sentenced the first defendant to five years in jail and a fine of Dh20,000 — and the second to a two-year jail term and deportation thereafter.

The two suspects, being dissatisfied with the verdict, approached the RAK Criminal Court of Appeal, which upheld the ruling of the lower court based on the police investigations.

“The second defendant was believed to have secured the narcotics for the first suspect, and let him abuse drugs in his house,” the appellate court underlined.

The case was referred to the RAK Cassation Court where the defence lawyer of the second suspect argued that his client was not a drug addict and did not have a record of doing drugs.

“As per the law, the court may decide in such a case to order the defendant to be admitted into a drug rehabilitation centre, slap him with a fine of maximum Dh10,000, or order him to do a social service penalty.”

The RAK Cassation Court approved the defence lawyer’s pleading, stating that the rulings of the lower courts were null and void. The court further stated that the jail term issued by the appellate court against the second suspect had to be replaced with a fine of no more than Dh10,000.

reporters@khaleejtimes.com