A 35-year-old Nigerian man and his 27-year-old Gambian wife have been handed life sentences and fined Dh500,000 each after attempting to smuggle 4.2 kilograms of marijuana into the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The couple’s arrest took place at Dubai International Airport on January 2, 2024, after a routine inspection by customs officers.
The incident unfolded when officers noticed an unusual weight in the woman’s luggage. Upon further examination, they discovered over 4.2 kg of marijuana concealed inside several vehicle filters.
The woman was promptly detained and interrogated.
Investigations revealed that the marijuana was intended for the Nigerian man, who was arrested shortly after in the Naif area of Dubai. He was attempting to collect the package from a cargo service.
During the trial, the court presented evidence, including forensic reports, digital communications, and witness testimonies from customs officers.
Initially, the couple denied any knowledge of the drugs, claiming they were unaware of the contents of the shipment. However, their defence was rejected by the court.
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This decision was largely based on their personal use of cocaine, which cast doubt on their claims of ignorance.
The court also found that the couple had knowledge of previous drug shipments from August and November of the previous year, further linking them to the smuggling operation.
In addition to their life sentences, the couple was ordered to pay a fine of Dh500,000 each.
If they fail to pay the fine, they will serve an additional day in prison for every Dh100 of the fine amount. The court also ordered the confiscated drugs to be destroyed.
This case serves as a strong reminder of the UAE’s strict anti-drug laws and the severe penalties for drug-related offenses.