DUBAI // Five men convicted of running drug factories in Umm Al Quwain and Dubai were today granted release from jail after serving 15 years of their life sentences.
The five Indian nationals - FK, 51, MS, 42, PF, 60, MK, 42 and FD, 77 - were among 21 people, including a senior government official, who were sentenced in 1997 to life in prison for their roles in the manufacture of the drug methaqualone, a highly addictive barbiturate.
The Criminal Court granted the request of the five men to be released on the grounds of good behaviour.
Police discovered the drug factories after raiding a car showroom in Garhoud in June 1997 where they believed the Syrian ZA was selling premium used cars stolen from Europe.
The officers did not find the Syrian during the raid - he remains at large and was sentenced in absentia - but did find a sack containing a chemical substance hidden inside a car. An examination showed the substance to be an ingredient used in the manufacture of drugs.
Along with five fake passports belonging to the Syrian, other evidence uncovered in the raid led police to an Asian gang involved with the Syrian in manufacturing methaqualone. The gang were being housed by a senior government official in a villa on the Umm Al Quwain-Ras Al Khaimah Highway. The villa also served as one of the drug factories, while the other factory was located near a water park in Dubai.
Police found five million pills at the villa and a further million at the Dubai factory.
The drugs, which weighed four tonnes in total, were intended for distribution in Africa and India at a profit of about Dh120 million.
salamir@thenational.ae
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
How to get there
Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
