The president of the Union of Arab Chambers underlined the need for reskilling the workforce to counter job losses due to automation
uae8 hours ago
The wife of an Indian DJ, who has been sentenced to 25 years in jail in a drug case in Sharjah, has expressed her faith in the UAE's judicial system as the family appeals the verdict passed against her husband. Clayton Rodrigues, 37, from Mumbai, was imprisoned after being apprehended at Sharjah Airport with a drug-laden cake in June 2023.
Clayton's wife, Falyn, believes he was entrapped in the case and will be proven innocent. Speaking to Khaleej Times over the phone from Mumbai, she said: "The UAE upholds high standards of justice, and I believe justice will prevail."
Falyn's hope is fuelled by a Mumbai Police report stating that Clayton has been framed by a baker and his accomplice, who tricked numerous others in a similar fashion.
According to Mumbai Police, the baker misguided unsuspecting victims into unknowingly carrying drugs into UAE and then tipped local authorities about the contraband. After their arrest upon arrival, the baker would contact their families and pretend to offer legal assistance through lawyers in Sharjah. However, rather than helping, he would exploit the situation by demanding money from victims' families for purported legal expenses, police said.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
One of the baker's victims was Indian actress Chrisann Pereira. Earlier, Khaleej Times reported how Pereira flew to the UAE on April 1, 2023, thinking she had landed an acting job. As it turns out, she was tricked by two men who falsely promised her an audition and a role in a Hollywood web series. They duped her into carrying a trophy filled with drugs, claiming it was a prop for the audition. Pereira's arrest upon landing exposed the scheme. Mumbai police caught the baker and his accomplice RB, resulting in Pereira's release from Sharjah Jail.
However, Clayton wasn't as fortunate. He fell into the baker's trap in February, just weeks before Pereira, after receiving a drug-laced cake, according to Mumbai Police. The baker confessed to the police about baking the cake with cannabis and poppy seeds hidden inside. Falyn said they have provided the confession and call records to Clayton's lawyers in the UAE.
These records reveal that the tip-off informing Sharjah authorities about the drug came from a number operated by the baker. Police records indicate that he operated multiple SIM cards but used one number for each victim to carry out the crime.
Falyn said the situation has deeply affected their family, especially their daughter and Clayton's bedridden father.
In an email to Khaleej Times, she recounted the events leading up to Clayton being lured into the trap with a job offer as a DJ in a new Mumbai hotel. She detailed how the baker's accomplice, RB, convinced her husband to go to the UAE to show his skills to potential investors.
"RB was supposed to accompany Clayton, but just before the flight, he backed out, citing urgent work. Instead, he asked Clayton to transport the cake for him as a gesture to the investors. "Clayton had offered to purchase the cake himself, but RB insisted he had already bought it from the bakery favoured by the investors. RB handed over the cake, advising him to pack it in his bag to avoid suspicion from the Sharjah authorities, as it was labelled as a food item," she added. Deputy Commissioner Krishnakant Upadhyay, speaking to Indian media, said that the baker created fake stories to lure victims and arranged their travel to Sharjah. "He himself would then alert the police and airport authorities, providing details of the individual and orchestrating their arrest," said Upadhyay. "He has targeted four people in the past, and Chrisann Pereira was his fifth victim."
Mumbai Police said the baker had a grudge against Clayton and set him up as he did with others.
Falyn said she learned about her husband's arrest through a text message received on February 6, 2023. "When we checked, we found that it was the same number used to contact Clayton for the job offer and book his tickets. After that, the phone number was switched off."
She added that the baker contacted them shortly after, claiming he could secure Clayton's release through his connections, but only if they provided him with $98,000. "We were numb listening to all this. It was as if our whole world was suddenly torn apart."
Now, Falyn's hope rests with the judiciary system of the Emirates and she believes the family will get justice.
ALSO READ:
The president of the Union of Arab Chambers underlined the need for reskilling the workforce to counter job losses due to automation
uae8 hours ago
The situation has raised concerns within the Ministry of Civil Aviation, which is closely monitoring the developments
uae9 hours ago
Temperature expected to touch a maximum of 43ºC in internal areas
uae13 hours ago
Some studies suggest that certain types of music, like classical or ambient, might be beneficial for cognitive tasks requiring concentration and attention
uae14 hours ago
The authority is dedicated to upgrading its patrol vehicles, including electric or hybrid models, to enhance police operations
uae21 hours ago
’He always had a smile about him and would firmly hold on to his mother’s hand when she dropped him off for private tuition classes', one said
uae21 hours ago
The Pakistani Prime Minister also offered condolences to the family of Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed and all members of the Al Nahyan family
uae22 hours ago
Griffiths' comments came during a session at the Arabian Travel Market where he said a lot of calculations had gone into designing the new terminal
uae22 hours ago