A married couple has been sentenced to life in prison and fined Dh500,000 each after being caught smuggling 4.2kg of marijuana into the UAE.
The couple, a 27-year-old Gambian woman and a 35-year-old Nigerian man, were arrested at Dubai International Airport on January 2, 2024, during a routine customs check.
How They Were Caught
Customs officers noticed something unusual in the woman’s luggage during the inspection. On closer examination, they found 4,290.86 grams of marijuana hidden inside vehicle filters. The woman was detained immediately for questioning.
Further investigations revealed the marijuana was intended for the Nigerian man, who was later arrested in Dubai’s Naif area while trying to pick up the package from a cargo service.
Evidence Presented in Court
The court reviewed forensic reports, digital messages linking the Nigerian suspect to the shipment, and witness statements from customs officials. Although the couple initially denied knowing about the drugs, their defense was rejected.
The court ruled their argument of ignorance as invalid, noting that both were found to have used cocaine. Evidence also showed the couple had knowledge of two earlier drug shipments in August and November of the previous year.
The Verdict
On November 28, 2024, the Dubai Criminal Court convicted the couple on drug smuggling charges, sentencing them to life in prison and ordering their deportation after serving their terms.
In addition to the prison sentence, each of them was fined Dh500,000. If they fail to pay the fine, they will serve an extra day in prison for every Dh100 they owe. The court also ordered the destruction of the confiscated drugs.
