A 35-year-old Bangladeshi man has been sentenced to life in prison by the Dubai Criminal Court after being found guilty of drug trafficking. His arrest followed a chain of operations that began with two other suspects and culminated in a meticulously planned sting by Dubai authorities.
The case unfolded in August 2023, when a 30-year-old Jordanian man was apprehended in a drug use case. Under questioning, he revealed that his source for cannabis was his brother-in-law, a 33-year-old Sudanese man. Authorities swiftly arrested the Sudanese man in Dubai near Festival City the following month. A subsequent search of his residence in Dubai Sports City uncovered drugs and provided a crucial lead to the Bangladeshi supplier.
The Sudanese man admitted to purchasing cannabis multiple times from the Bangladeshi suspect, paying between Dh300 and Dh500 per transaction. Armed with this information, law enforcement set up a sting operation in Dubai’s Al Nahda area. The Sudanese man cooperated with authorities to arrange a drug deal, luring the Bangladeshi suspect to the meeting point near Gold Luck Supermarket.
When the suspect arrived, he attempted to flee but was apprehended by the police. A search of his person uncovered a small bag of cannabis in his pocket, while a subsequent raid on his residence revealed additional cannabis hidden in the bathroom ceiling and a weighing scale under his bed. In total, the drugs seized weighed approximately 193.13 grams.
Further incriminating evidence emerged during the investigation. Forensic analysis of the suspect’s mobile phone uncovered WhatsApp conversations detailing drug transactions, with coded language such as “paper” and “lulu” used to refer to cannabis. Multiple testimonies from law enforcement officers also identified the man as the supplier in this network.
The suspect denied the charges during his court appearance, which was conducted via video link. However, the overwhelming evidence, including physical findings, forensic reports, and witness testimonies, led the court to convict him.
Under UAE law, a life sentence equates to 25 years of imprisonment. The Bangladeshi man will be deported upon completing his sentence. The Sudanese and Jordanian men involved in the case were previously charged and tried for their roles.
The Bangladeshi man’s legal team has appealed the verdict, with a hearing scheduled at Dubai’s Appeal Court on January 22 next year.
