Two men of Arab nationality have been sentenced to prison after being caught attempting to retrieve narcotics in the Al Wahida area of Dubai late at night. The Dubai Court of Appeal convicted the men for drug possession and consumption, issuing one a five-year sentence and the other a 12-year term. In addition, each man was fined Dh100,000 and will face restrictions on transferring funds for two years following their release.
The two suspects were spotted by a police patrol as they were digging under suspicious circumstances. Officers observed signs that both men were under the influence of drugs. A subsequent search revealed the first suspect was carrying 20 grams of hashish, while the second had 100 grams of mixed narcotics, including hashish, cocaine, and other psychotropic substances.
One of the suspects attempted to flee when the police approached, but officers quickly restrained him. Both men were taken into custody and later tested positive for drugs. Investigations revealed that they had arranged to purchase the narcotics from an unknown dealer through WhatsApp. The dealer had provided them with coordinates to the hidden stash after receiving payment via a bank transfer.
The court’s ruling also included the confiscation of all seized narcotics and the deportation of both men once they complete their prison sentences. Furthermore, both individuals are prohibited from transferring or depositing funds on behalf of others for two years, a measure that will be enforced by the UAE Central Bank in coordination with the Ministry of Interior.
This case highlights the increasing use of digital platforms in drug-related crimes, a trend that law enforcement agencies in Dubai continue to combat. Police remain vigilant in identifying and intercepting illicit activity, even during the late hours of the night. For example, Dubai’s vigilance was also demonstrated in the case of a European woman who was fined Dh5,000 for theft at a gold shop, a reminder of the diverse range of criminal activities that authorities address throughout the city.
As Dubai’s law enforcement continues to tackle digital drug trafficking, this case serves as a reminder of the serious consequences for those involved in such illegal activities.
