Drug trafficker jailed for life in Dubai, assets restricted

The Dubai Court of Appeal has upheld the ruling of the court of first instance that sentenced a drug dealer to life imprisonment. The court also ordered the confiscation of the seized drugs and prohibited the convict from transferring or depositing any funds to others, either personally or through third parties, without the Central Bank of the UAE's permission, coordinated with the Ministry of Interior. After serving his sentence, he would be be deported from the country.

The details of the case began in July of the previous year, when the General Department of Anti-Narcotics at the Dubai Police received information from an anonymous source that a person was engaged in the illicit sale of crystal methamphetamine for monetary gain. It was also established that he has a history of substance abuse, specifically narcotics and psychotropic substances and that he visits Abu Hail area regularly.

A police officer stated that a security ambush was set up in Abu Hail area, where the suspect was arrested and found to be in possession of nine packages of crystal meth, following the investigation that confirmed the information. In addition, quantities of heroin, hashish and other narcotics in a shoebox, as well as a sensitive set of scales, a scalpel and tools for dividing and preparing drugs for distribution, had been found upon searching his house, the officer added.

During interrogation, the accused admitted that he had been assigned to deliver the crystal meth by hiding it in various locations in the aforementioned area, and then taking photos of these locations, before sending the coordinates to someone in an Asian country. In exchange, he would receive Dhs30 for each location to which the material was delivered.

The forensic laboratory report confirmed that the accused had a history of drug abuse and that the seized substances included heroin, hashish and methamphetamine. On the basis of sound legal and factual grounds, the Criminal Court sentenced him to life imprisonment, a decision that was upheld by the Court of Appeal.