DUBAI // A lorry driver and another man are accused of importing more than 65 kilograms of amphetamines.
Prosecutors charged the two Syrians with importing 65.2kg of the drug with the intention to ship it to a neighbouring country. The pair denied the charge at Dubai Criminal Court yesterday.
“I did not import it but the drugs were found in my rented warehouse,” the 24-year-old driver told judges, adding that his co-accused was not involved at all. “He has nothing to do with the drugs and he doesn’t know anything about this case.”
His fellow accused told judges that he was innocent. “I didn’t see any of this drug they are talking about,” the 32-year old defendant said.
A 36-year-old Emirati police major testified that police were tipped off about the two men hiding drugs in a warehouse in Al Quoz.
“We obtained an arrest warrant after we made sure the tip was true, then arrested the two men on April 21 last year,” said the police major, adding that during questioning the men confessed they received a large amount of drugs hidden inside ovens.
“The receipts and documents of the ovens shipment were all in the second defendant’s name, the duo told us.” He said the pair admitted they were acting under direction from a third man who was serving a jail term in Kuwait for drugs offences and that they were assigned to rent the warehouse and stash the drugs.
“They said they were going to be paid for doing so,” said the police major.
Records show that police found the warehouse’s key with the driver then accompanied the defendants to the warehouse, where the men unlocked its door and showed police officers the drugs.
The next hearing will be on April 25.
salamir@thenational.ae
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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