Dubai: A customs officer has been accused of taking bribes totalling Dh30,000 for allowing cargo dhows to sail out of Dubai Creek without being searched.
The Emirati officer was said to have collected Dh200 from the captain of each cargo dhow after stamping the exit permit and allowing it to sail away without searching it during 2016.
Records said the officer was apprehended in a sting operation after he charged an Iranian captain Dh200 and stamped the exit permit for his dhow.
Prosecutors accused the suspect of abusing his job and collecting Dh30,000 in bribes.
The defendant firmly refuted the accusation before the Dubai Court of First Instance.
According to the charge sheet, prosecutors said the defendant stamped a number of exit permits and allowed several cargo dhows to sail away without being actually searched between June and October 2016.
The defence lawyer asked the court to adjourn the hearing until he reviews the case file.
The Emirati was quoted as admitting to the interrogating prosecutor that he was stationed at Al Shindagha and used to charge captains Dh200 against allowing them to sail out of Dubai Creek without searching the vessels.
The defendant admitted that in October, an Iranian captain had come to him for the search procedures and he was apprehended immediately after he took Dh200 from the captain and went to check the dhow.
Records showed the defendant had signed a written confession to what had happened.
The trial continues.
