The Federal Primary Court in Fujairah (Major Crimes Division) has sentenced two Asian men to life imprisonment for smuggling and possessing 925 narcotic tablets through Fujairah International Airport.
Alongside the life sentences, the court ordered the confiscation of the narcotics, deportation of the convicts upon serving their terms, payment of court fees, and Dh2,000 to cover the court-appointed lawyer’s fee.
Investigations revealed conflicting explanations from the two men regarding the tablets. One defendant claimed the pills were meant to treat stomach gas, while the other said they were sexual stimulants.
Forensic analysis later confirmed that the tablets contained morphine and papaverine, both classified as Schedule 1 controlled substances under UAE law.
Court documents showed that the first defendant, aged 30, brought the narcotic tablets into the UAE in June. Officials detected the pills concealed in his luggage during an inspection at Fujairah Airport.
He admitted to purchasing them from a market in India at the request of the second defendant, who covered his travel expenses and promised him 2,000 rupees (Dh83.21) as payment.
The second defendant, aged 36, was arrested in July while attempting to leave the UAE through Dubai International Airport. He admitted to asking the first man to deliver the tablets to a third party in return for 5,000 rupees (Dh208), with an additional 10,000 rupees (Dh416) promised as a reward. He maintained he believed the pills were sexual stimulants.
Despite their denials, the court found both men guilty, citing their contradictory statements, the deliberate concealment of the tablets, and the second defendant’s attempt to flee the country. The judges ruled that the men were aware of the narcotic content and intended to traffic the drugs.
The court highlighted Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021 on narcotics and psychotropic substances, stressing that the large quantity of tablets indicated an intent to trade rather than personal use.
As a result, both men received life sentences. The narcotics were confiscated, and the court ordered their deportation upon completion of their prison terms, reinforcing the UAE’s strict stance against drug smuggling.