Woman jailed for bribery of Dubai customs official acquitted

JS, 33, was convicted by Dubai Criminal Court on May 28 of offering the bribe to Dubai Customs inspector, AA, for taking care of the paperwork that would see her container released.

DUBAI // A woman jailed for three months for offering a customs official a Dh10,000 bribe over a shipping container has won her appeal.

In May, J S, 33, was convicted by Dubai Criminal Court of offering the bribe to Dubai Customs inspector A A, in October last year.

The bribe was to be for taking care of the paperwork that would see her container released without a hitch, the court heard.

“I know her through work and she had previously received containers that were meeting regulations but, in October last year, she came asking about one of her containers and she said that it was withheld by customs,” A A told the court.

A A said the defendant asked him for his phone number so that she could call and ask about the container. On October 22, she sent him a text asking for his help, he said.

“She told me she would need my help and would highly appreciate it,” said A A, who added that he alerted his supervisor after becoming suspicious about the nature of the defendant’s texts and calls.

The inspector was told to play along with the woman and, on October 27, she allegedly called him and asked to meet him at a hotel.

When they met, A A said, she offered him the money in return for finalising the paperwork.

A A later agreed to accept the money and a sting operation was set up, resulting in J S being arrested.

Last March, in court, the defendant denied the charge but was convicted.

However, the Court of Appeal overturned the verdict.

The reason for the acquittal was not mentioned in court.