Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

A Dubai Criminal Court has sentenced an Arab woman to 10 years in jail for possessing and abusing narcotic drugs. She was also fined Dh100,000 and will be deported after serving her jail sentence. Additionally, the court prohibited her from transferring or depositing money for others for two years after her release, unless authorized by the UAE Central Bank and Ministry of Interior. According to the General Department of Anti-Narcotics, authorities received reliable intelligence in April 2024 that the suspect, who lived in the Al Twar area near Al Qiyada Metro Station, was involved in drug abuse and possession. A police officer revealed that the suspect purchased narcotics online, transferring the payment via a local bank account. “She recently bought drugs worth Dh500 and deposited the amount in a bank account inside the country,” the officer stated. After completing the payment, the suspect received a location via WhatsApp indicating where she could collect the drugs. Authorities tracked her movements and arrested her near her residence while driving her vehicle. A quantity of drugs was found in her possession. The Criminal Laboratory confirmed that the woman was a drug user, and she later confessed to obtaining the drugs from a supplier outside the UAE. The UAE maintains a zero-tolerance policy on drug-related crimes. Penalties for drug trafficking, possession, and abuse include hefty fines, long-term imprisonment, and deportation for expatriates. Law enforcement agencies continue to monitor digital platforms for illegal transactions, and banks are required to report suspicious transfers. Officials urge UAE residents to report drug-related crimes through confidential channels to help authorities combat illegal drug activities. Residents can report suspicious activity by calling Dubai Police's anti-narcotics hotline at 901 or through the e-crime platform. ICA/Expat Media
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