Drug dealer in UAE sentenced to death

A man has been sentenced to death for possessing and trafficking 18kg of heroin. The judge at Abu Dhabi Criminal Court also gave the Emirati man, who is in his 30s, six months in jail for illegal possession of a loaded gun.

Official documents showed that the man had smuggled the heroin from another GCC country into the UAE early last year and planned to sell the drugs in Abu Dhabi.

After receiving a tip-off, Abu Dhabi Police tracked down the suspect and caught him with the drugs.

Prosecutors said the Emirati was caught in possession of 18kg of heroin in his car. “Cops also found in the man’s car a gun loaded with bullets”, said prosecutors.

But during his trial, the man denied the charges of possessing and dealing heroin. He also denied illegal possession of a weapon.

His lawyer argued that the Emirati had been suffering from mental illnesses since 2006 and that he was not aware of his actions. The lawyer also presented medical documents to the court showing the Emirati’s treatment for his problems.

But a report from a medical committee appointed by the court to examine the alleged illness confirmed that the man had been treated and cured and that he was aware of his actions at the time he committed the crimes.

The court also found no evidence to link the Emirati’s past illnesses with the crimes.

A death penalty can be appealed within 14 days of issuing the sentence.

http://www.msn.com/en-ae/news/uae/drug-dealer-in-uae-sentenced-to-death/ar-BBkMy6F?ocid=hmlogout