Drug-dealing fishmonger sentenced to life in prison in Dubai

53-year-old Bangladeshi fishmonger and two compatriots have been sentenced to life behind bars for selling drugs from his shop in Al Ras.

DUBAI// A 53-year-old Bangladeshi fishmonger and two compatriots were sentenced to life in prison for selling drugs from his shop in Al Ras.

In April 2015 officers at Dubai police’s anti-narcotics department were tipped off about the defendant hiding drugs in his shop and selling them to customers with the help of two compatriots, aged 34 and 42.

On December 1 the same year, officers raided the shop and arrested the three men.

“The shop owner willingly handed us several plastic bags and boxes in which he kept 5.5 kilograms of poppy seeds,” said an Emirati policeman, who revealed that the defendant had said he had been selling drugs for more than six months and that he was aware poppy seeds were banned in the country.

“He also said the other two who were arrested with him had been helping him sell the drugs, which he claimed he got from a compatriot’s grocery shop in Al Sabkha.”

The alleged supplier was arrested the next day at his shop but denied knowing the defendant or selling him drugs. Police did not find any drugs in his possession.

The three defendants were charged with possessing drugs to sell and were found guilty.

Dubai Criminal Court sentenced all three men to life in jail to be followed by deportation.