A married couple has been handed life sentences and fined Dh500,000 each by the Dubai Criminal Court after being convicted of attempting to smuggle 4.2kg of marijuana into the UAE.
According to a Khaleej Times report, the pair, a 27-year-old Gambian woman and her 35-year-old Nigerian husband, were apprehended at Dubai International Airport on January 2, 2024, during a routine customs inspection. Authorities uncovered 4,290.86 grams of marijuana concealed inside vehicle filters within the woman’s luggage.
Further investigation led to the arrest of the Nigerian man in Dubai’s Naif area as he attempted to retrieve the package from a cargo service. Evidence presented during the trial included forensic reports, witness statements, and digital communication linking the couple to the smuggling operation.
Despite their claims of ignorance about the drugs, the court rejected their defence, citing their cocaine use and prior involvement in similar drug shipments. The court also noted that messages between the two confirmed their intent to smuggle the marijuana.
On November 28, the court issued the life sentences, ordered their deportation following completion of their sentences, and mandated the destruction of the confiscated drugs. The couple will serve additional prison time if they fail to pay the fines.
