Latest news with #CourtOfFirstInstance
Khaleej Times
01-08-2025
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Man gets life sentence, Dh500,000 fine for smuggling 15kg of drugs from US, Europe
A 56-year-old Asian man has been sentenced to life in prison and fined Dh500,000 after being convicted of importing 15kg of illegal narcotics from the US and Europe in what authorities described as a highly organised international drug trafficking operation. The ruling, issued by the Dubai Court of First Instance, also included a deportation order to be executed following the completion of the prison term. In addition, the court imposed a two-year post-release ban on the defendant from engaging in any form of financial transfer or remittance to others. The case unfolded when a vigilant customs inspector at a major courier hub in Dubai noticed several suspicious parcels addressed to the defendant. The packages, which had originated from multiple locations in the United States and Europe, were unusually heavy and tightly sealed with industrial-grade plastic. According to official police records, the inspector raised an alert, prompting authorities to subject the parcels to forensic examination. Lab analysis revealed that the packages contained 15kg of narcotic substances concealed within layers of clothing and plastic wrapping. Authorities did not publicly disclose the exact type of drug but confirmed it fell under restricted Class A substances under UAE law. Following confirmation of the illegal drugs, Dubai Police's anti-narcotics division coordinated a sting operation to catch the suspect in the act. Investigators replaced the real drugs with dummy materials and tracked the shipment to its final delivery point. The suspect was arrested red-handed while attempting to collect the consignment from a delivery centre in Dubai. The officer who testified in the case said that they monitored the suspect closely until authorities had enough evidence. The suspect walked into the trap without realising he had been under surveillance. The man initially denied the charges during interrogation and trial, claiming he had no knowledge of the contents of the parcels. However, prosecutors presented strong evidence, including surveillance footage, forensic reports, and customs records linking him directly to the shipments. The Court of First Instance found the evidence against the defendant overwhelming and sentenced him to life in prison. The verdict was later upheld by the Dubai Court of Appeal after the defendant contested the ruling. The case underscores the UAE's zero-tolerance policy on drug trafficking, with authorities reiterating that anyone caught attempting to bring drugs into the country, regardless of quantity or method, will face the full force of the law. The Dubai Police commended the swift coordination between customs, forensic experts, and narcotics officers, which prevented the drugs from reaching the streets. 'This is a message to all drug traffickers: the UAE is not a transit point or market for drugs. Our systems are robust, and our people are trained to detect even the most discreet attempts at smuggling,' the police statement added. The defendant remains in custody and will serve a life sentence in Dubai Central Prison, pending his eventual deportation.
Gulf Business
24-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
DIFC Courts see 38% surge in claims valued at Dhs6.8bn in H1 2025
Image: DIFC Courts The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts reported a sharp rise in activity during H1 2025, with a 38 per cent year-on-year increase in total claims and a combined value of Dhs6.8bn ($1.85bn). The A total of 650 claims were filed across the courts' divisions from January through June, up from 470 during the same period last year. The average claim value across all divisions stood at Dhs13.2m, according to figures released by the DIFC Courts. Higher value disputes, more opt-ins The Court of First Instance (CFI) and its specialised units logged 61 claims worth a combined Dhs6.7bn, with an average claim size of Dhs117.7m. Around 38 per cent of these were opt-in cases, meaning parties outside the DIFC's jurisdiction contractually selected the DIFC Courts for resolution — an ongoing trend reflecting the forum's perceived neutrality and enforceability. Chief justice Wayne Martin said the first-half data confirms a 'sustained pattern of growth, particularly in opt-in matters and higher-value claims,' which he credited in part to reforms under a new courts law issued earlier this year. Arbitration and civil claims drive case load The Civil & Commercial Division (CCD) saw an 85 per cent jump in filings, climbing from 33 claims to 61, totalling Dhs2.3bn. The Arbitration Division posted an even steeper year-on-year rise, with 23 claims worth Dhs4.5bn — up 92 per cent compared to H1 2024. Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) activity also spiked, handling 458 cases — a 73 per cent increase — with total value reaching Dhs43.2m and an average claim size of Dhs95,000. These increases were offset somewhat by a dip in enforcement claims, which dropped to 106 cases worth Dhs4.5m, down from 122 cases over the same period last year. Read: Legal reforms add momentum The uptick follows the enactment of Dubai Law No 2 of 2025, which consolidated and expanded the DIFC Courts' jurisdiction, simplifying previous statutes and reinforcing its authority in civil, commercial, and employment matters. The move also clarified its mandate to issue interim measures, enforce arbitral awards, and support mediation. Justice Omar Al Mheiri, diirector of DIFC Courts, said the results reflect 'growing confidence from both businesses and individuals,' adding that the system's adaptability is key to its longevity. 'Our continued growth is a testament to our mission to expand access to justice across core and ancillary services,' he said. Wills and pro bono uptake The Courts' ancillary services also recorded growth. The DIFC Wills Service registered 922 wills — up 14 per cent year-on-year — bringing the total to more than 13,400 since inception. The pro bono programme assisted 524 individuals in H1, with the help of 39 law firms and 51 volunteer lawyers. The Courts continue to see a mix of case types spanning banking and finance, real estate, manufacturing, crypto, and employment disputes. Officials point to the diversity of sectors and claim types as a marker of the court's growing role in Dubai's maturing legal and business environment. Snapshot: Claims H1 2025 CFI + Divisions: 61 claims | Dhs6.7bn total | Average claim: Dhs117.7m Civil and Commercial: 61 claims | Dhs2.3bn | Average claim: Dhs51.3m Arbitration: 23 claims | Dhs4.5bn | Average claim: Dhs42.6m Small Claims Tribunal: 458 claims | Dhs43.2m | Average claim: Dhs95,000 Enforcement: 106 claims | Dhs4.5m | Average claim: Dhs1.5m
