Two Saudi men were sentenced to life in prison for possessing more than 199kg of amphetamine pills to sell.
The pair, aged 26 and 31, were arrested in a sting operation on December 5 last year while exchanging the drugs and were charged with possessing amphetamine with intent to sell and with consuming drugs.
"I didn't possess anything," the 26-year-old told judges at Dubai Criminal Court, while his co-accused admitted to only consuming drugs.
"I took them in Saudi Arabia, not here," said the other man.
A Dubai Police anti-narcotics captain said that they were tipped off about the defendants. "We were informed that they are part of a gang trafficking in drugs and had them under surveillance," said the captain, 40.
He added that after obtaining an arrest warrant, they apprehended the pair in Abu Hail at about 5.30pm.
"They met each in a different car in a sandy patch then chatted for a while before they were arrested," said the captain, adding that three large bags containing the drugs were found in the younger defendant's car.
Police said he confessed that he was offered 900,000 Saudi riyals (Dh881,000) from a man in Saudi Arabia whom he had never met to arrange with the second defendant then deliver the drugs to an Emirati man in Dubai.
Prosecutors said the pair of them confessed that they were still waiting for directions from Saudi in relation to the delivery but were arrested before that could happen.
Both men were sentenced to life in jail and each were fined Dh100,000. They will be deported after serving their prison terms. However, the verdict remains subject to appeal within 14 days.
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
if you go
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Kalra's feat
- Becomes fifth batsman to score century in U19 final
- Becomes second Indian to score century in U19 final after Unmukt Chand in 2012
- Scored 122 in youth Test on tour of England
- Bought by Delhi Daredevils for base price of two million Indian rupees (Dh115,000) in 2018 IPL auction
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
