Two men have been sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of smuggling a large quantity of Pregabalin, a controlled substance, into Dubai.
The case unfolded on March 29 when Dubai Airport customs officials flagged a suspicious shipment arriving from India. Upon inspection, the shipment, consisting of four cartons, was found to contain 148,380 capsules of Nervigesic, weighing a total of 71.52kg. The psychotropic substance is strictly regulated under UAE law.
A senior customs inspector’s vigilance led to the involvement of Dubai Police’s General Department of Anti-Narcotics, who identified two suspects. Investigations revealed that an Indian national had coordinated the shipment with a Pakistani accomplice, who had ordered the capsules from abroad.
Both defendants denied the charges of smuggling and possession with intent to distribute during their court hearings. However, evidence, including communication records, linked them to the crime.
The court sentenced both men to life imprisonment, fined them Dh200,000 each, and ordered their deportation after serving their sentences. Additionally, a two-year financial restriction was imposed, requiring prior approval for any fund transfers or deposits by the defendants.
A shipping company representative initially detained in connection with the case was acquitted after the court found he was unaware of the shipment’s contents.
The defendants have appealed the verdict, with the first hearing at Dubai Court of Appeal set for January 15.
