A Nigerian man, aged 35, and his 27-year-old Gambian wife have been sentenced to life imprisonment and fined Dh500,000 each for attempting to smuggle 4.2 kilograms of marijuana into the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The couple was arrested on January 2, 2024, at Dubai International Airport during a routine customs inspection.
Customs officers detected an unusual density in the woman’s luggage. Upon inspection,
authorities uncovered 4,290.86 grams of marijuana concealed within several vehicle filters. The woman was detained on-site, and further investigation led to the arrest of her Nigerian husband in Dubai’s Naif area as he attempted to collect the package from a cargo service.
During the trial, evidence included forensic reports, digital communications linking the Nigerian suspect to the shipment, and testimonies from customs officials. Initially, the couple denied any knowledge of the drugs.
However, the court found their defense unconvincing. Investigators revealed that both suspects had prior knowledge of drug shipments in August and November of the preceding year. Additionally, forensic evidence showed the couple had been using cocaine.
Digital communications presented during the trial confirmed the couple’s intent to smuggle drugs into the UAE.
On November 28, the Dubai Criminal Court found both individuals guilty of drug smuggling.
They were sentenced to life imprisonment, followed by deportation upon completing their sentences. They were also fined Dh500,000, stipulating that failure to pay would result in one additional day in prison for every Dh100 of the unpaid fine.
The court ordered the confiscated drugs to be destroyed.
