Life sentence for man who tried to sell 732kg of heroin in Abu Dhabi


Haneen Dajani
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ABU DHABI // A man who tried to sell 732kg of heroin should serve a life sentence, the Cassation Court ruled yesterday.

The man was originally sentenced to death by the Criminal Court, but the Appeals Court had commuted this to life in prison before the case was forwarded to the Cassation Court for a final ruling.

The man, an Asian, was arrested by an undercover officer posing as a customer. During interrogations he told them a friend from his home county had told him there was a stash of heroin hidden under a tree near his workplace in Al Taweelah, Abu Dhabi.

He dug it up to make sure his compatriot was telling the truth before burying it again. His friend called him again and told him to sell the drugs for Dh37,000.

However, in court the man said he had taken a delivery from his friend, but did not know what it was. He says that when he met the undercover agent he at first refused to take payment. He said the agent insisted and place the money in his pocket before arresting him.

The Appeals Court previously rejected an argument from the man's lawyer that the police investigation had "not been serious enough".

hdajani@thenational.ae

The candidates

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

 

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Dubai Creek Open in numbers
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  • It is the first of five events before the season-concluding Mena Tour Championship
  • This week's field comprises 120 players, 21 of which are amateurs
  • 15 previous Mena Tour winners are competing at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club  
Biog

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Known as the UAE’s strongest man

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Favourite superhero: The Hulk original

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Saturday, December 7: ‘Timbuktu’ (2014) by Abderrahmane Sissako
Saturday, December 21: ‘Rams’ (2015) by Grimur Hakonarson

Brief scoreline:

Al Wahda 2

Al Menhali 27', Tagliabue 79'

Al Nassr 3

Hamdallah 41', Giuliano 45 1', 62'