Dubai court sentences women’s gang to life imprisonment in drug case

Dubai: In two separate cases, the Dubai Criminal Court has taken action against women for drug trafficking and consumption.

In the first case, the Dubai Criminal Court sentenced an African female gang to life imprisonment after convicting them of drug trafficking. The four-women gang was also ordered to be deported after serving their sentences.

The gang was arrested after the General Department of Narcotics Control in Dubai Police received a tip-off that the main suspect was in possession of and distributing psychotropic substances and narcotics. Dubai Police explained in a statement that an undercover female officer arranged a sting operation by contacting the prime suspect, expressing interest in purchasing drugs, and agreeing on a time and place for delivery.

On the scheduled day, Dubai Police set up a trap. The suspect arrived at the location accompanied by two other women and a male driver.

The undercover officer stated in her testimony that she received prohibited psychotropic pills from the main suspect in exchange for Dh2,000. Upon alerting the anti-narcotics team, the police moved in and arrested the primary suspect along with the other women and the driver.

Following investigations, the gang members were referred to the Dubai Criminal Court, which found the female defendants guilty and sentenced them to life imprisonment. However, the court acquitted the driver of all charges.

The second case dates back to April of last year when the General Department of Narcotics Control received reliable information indicating that the defendant was near Al Qiyada Metro Station, using narcotic substances and psychotropic drugs.

An officer testified during investigations that the accused had obtained the drugs through social media applications and had transferred a payment of Dh500 to a bank account within the UAE. Subsequently, she received the location to collect the drugs via WhatsApp.

A security operation led to her arrest near her residence while she was driving her vehicle. Authorities found narcotics listed under Schedules 1 and 5 of Controlled Substances. Lab tests confirmed that she had consumed drugs, and she admitted during interrogations that she had obtained them from an individual outside the country.

Consequently, the court convicted her and sentenced her to 10 years in prison and a fine of Dh100,000. She will be deported from the country once she has served her term in jail.