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Dubai: Two fined Dh200,000, jailed for 7 years for smuggling drugs
Forensic analysis confirmed that the seized tablets were classified as controlled substances under the UAE's anti-narcotics law
- PUBLISHED: Sat 17 May 2025, 8:00 AM
Two African nationals were sentenced to seven years in prison, fined Dh200,000 each for smuggling 1,200 controlled drug tablets into the UAE.
Dubai's Court of First Instance has also ordered the deportation of the two, a man and a woman, after serving their terms.
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The case began when a customs inspector at Dubai International Airport noticed an unusual density in a passenger’s luggage during routine screening.
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When questioned, the passenger denied carrying any banned substances. However, a manual search revealed a large quantity of tablets suspected to be controlled drugs.
Dubai Police were alerted, and the passenger was taken into custody. During interrogation, he claimed the bag was given to him by a person in his home country, who said it contained food items to be delivered to a woman waiting at the airport. He also showed WhatsApp messages indicating communication with the second accused.
Based on this information, authorities arrested the woman in the arrivals area. She admitted being at the airport to collect the bag on behalf of her brother back home, but denied knowledge of its contents.
Forensic analysis confirmed that the seized tablets were classified as controlled substances under the UAE's anti-narcotics law. The court found both defendants guilty of importing and possessing banned drugs with the intent to distribute them, underscoring the UAE’s zero-tolerance policy on drug trafficking.