In a significant anti-narcotics operation, Pakistani and Indian men have been sentenced to life in Dubai for smuggling a large quantity of a controlled substance. The incident occurred on March 29, when a shipment was intercepted at Dubai Airport.
Case Information
The shipment, which originated from India, was detected by customs officials during a routine inspection. An X-ray scan and manual check found 148,380 capsules of Nervigesic, containing 71.52kg of Pregabalin, a psychotropic drug strictly regulated under UAE law.
The Dubai Police General Department of Anti-Narcotics was immediately informed to conduct further investigation.
Investigation and Arrest
The authorities followed this lead and identified the shipper as an Indian national employed by the shipping company. Under interrogation, he revealed that one of the respondents had instructed him to clear the shipment.
Further investigation unveiled a relationship between this respondent, another Indian national, and the Pakistani respondent who had received the smuggled drugs consignment from abroad. Telephone communications revealed very vivid details regarding the shipment and their attempts to clear it.
Both suspects were detained and charged with smuggling and possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute.
Judgment: Both defendants denied the charges but there was enough evidence that warranted their conviction. The shipping company representative, who had been detained initially, was acquitted since he was shown to have acted in good faith.
The judgment against the defendants included:
- Imprisonment for life
- A fine of AED 200,000 each
- Deportation after serving their term
- A two-year prohibition on any financial transaction without approval from the authorities
Appeal is still pending: The defendants have appealed against the judgment. The appeal will be heard by the Dubai Court of Appeal on January 15.
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