The Dubai Criminal Court has sentenced an Arab man to life imprisonment and ordered his deportation after serving his term, following his conviction for trafficking and consuming marijuana and other narcotic substances.
The ruling came after a months-long investigation by the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, which received credible information earlier this year indicating that the man possessed marijuana for sale. Authorities said he had agreed to sell the drugs to an undercover police officer for Dh100.
Following confirmation of the intelligence, the Public Prosecution issued a warrant allowing investigators to carry out a sting operation. Officers arrested the suspect red-handed as he handed over a packet of marijuana in exchange for cash.
A small quantity of herbal material seized at the scene was later confirmed by forensic analysis to be 61 grams of marijuana. Police also cited forensic tests showing the defendant’s urine contained multiple narcotic substances, further strengthening the prosecution’s case.
According to police testimony, the man lived in a shared apartment in Al Satwa with two other men of the same nationality. After obtaining a search warrant, officers raided the residence. Inside, the co-tenants were found but no evidence linked them to any drug-related activity.
Investigations revealed that the other two men had no role in the trafficking and were merely sharing accommodation with the suspect. As a result, the court acquitted both individuals, ruling that no proof connected them to the narcotics.
During the raid, police discovered a transparent plastic bag containing marijuana and a bottle of liquid suspected to contain narcotics. When interrogated, the main accused admitted to possessing the substances but claimed they were intended solely for personal use. He denied any intention to sell or promote drugs in the UAE.
However, the court rejected his defence, citing the sting operation, the seized quantities, and the circumstances of the arrest as clear indicators of his intent to traffic narcotics. The judges concluded that the evidence went beyond mere consumption.
Based on these findings, the court convicted the defendant of trafficking and consuming narcotics, handing him a life sentence. He will be deported from the UAE upon completing his prison term.
Authorities reiterated that Dubai enforces a zero-tolerance policy toward drugs, stressing that trafficking, promoting, or possessing illegal substances—regardless of quantity—can lead to life imprisonment or, in extreme cases, capital punishment.
Officials urged residents and visitors to remain aware of the emirate’s strict drug laws, noting that even small amounts of narcotics can result in severe penalties. The case underscores the seriousness with which the UAE approaches drug-related offences and the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to deter illegal activity.
The General Directorate of Narcotics Control emphasized that public cooperation and timely intelligence remain crucial to dismantling drug networks and preventing narcotics from reaching communities.