Two Arab men have been sentenced by the Dubai Court of Appeal for drug possession and consumption after being caught digging for narcotics late at night in the Al Wahida area.
The first suspect received a five-year prison sentence, while the second was handed a 12-year term. Both men were fined Dh100,000 each and will face strict restrictions on transferring funds for two years following their release.
According to court documents, a police patrol noticed the two men behaving suspiciously while digging in a sandy area of Al Wahida. Officers approached and observed signs that both appeared to be under the influence of drugs.
Upon searching them, authorities discovered 20 grams of hashish on the first man and 100 grams of mixed narcotics, including hashish, cocaine, and psychotropic substances, on the second.
One of the suspects attempted to resist arrest and flee the scene, but police officers quickly restrained him. Both men were subsequently taken to the General Department of Narcotics Control for further questioning and drug testing.
Forensic results later confirmed that both individuals were under the influence of narcotics at the time of their arrest. During interrogation, the suspects confessed to having obtained the drugs from an unidentified dealer through WhatsApp.
Investigators revealed that the dealer had sent the men the GPS coordinates of a hidden stash after receiving payment via bank transfer. The suspects admitted they were at the scene specifically to retrieve the concealed drugs.
The Dubai Court of Appeal upheld the initial ruling, citing the seriousness of the crime and the deliberate intent shown by both defendants. In addition to their prison sentences and fines, the court ordered the confiscation of all seized narcotics and the deportation of both men after serving their terms.
Furthermore, the court imposed a two-year restriction preventing either man from transferring or depositing funds on behalf of others without prior approval from the UAE Central Bank in coordination with the Ministry of Interior.
The case underscores growing concerns about the use of digital platforms in drug-related crimes. Authorities have repeatedly warned that messaging applications and encrypted services are being exploited by traffickers to arrange transactions and conceal evidence.
Dubai Police have emphasized their commitment to combating narcotics crimes through advanced surveillance, digital monitoring, and proactive patrols, ensuring that even late-night suspicious activities do not go undetected.
The successful arrest and prosecution highlight Dubai’s zero-tolerance policy toward drug-related offences and its continued efforts to maintain public safety through strict law enforcement and inter-agency coordination.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members