Human trafficking attempt foiled in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi prosecution has ordered that an Omani man and Indian woman be jailed for seven days for violating visa laws.

Officials at Al Hili Port apprehended the woman, who the man was trying to smuggle into the UAE using an authentic Gulf Cooperation Council passport under a different name, claiming that she was his wife.

Investigations revealed that the woman had entered Oman three months ago on a work visa and worked for an Asian woman, who was allegedly involved in human trafficking.

The Asian woman agreed to help the female suspect enter the UAE. She enlisted the Omani man’s services and he took the woman from Al Buraimi area to Al Ain. At Al Hili Port, the Omani man displayed his passport and that of his wife to customs officials, claiming that she was the one seated next to him in the vehicle. However, upon examining the documents, the officials realised that the woman was Asian and not the owner of the passport presented.

The suspect confessed and said she had been residing in the UAE before being deported twice: In 2007 for overstaying and in 2015 for breaching public morals. This resulted in the woman being permanently banned from entering the UAE.

The suspect told authorities that she had attempted to enter the UAE to find employment.

The Omani man also admitted to the charges against him, adding that he had agreed to smuggle the woman into the UAE for 50 Omani riyals (Dh476.9).

The vehicle used by the accused was also seized by authorities.