(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The Ras Al Khaimah criminal court has convicted four of the six Asian sailors involved in smuggling 700 tonnes of petroleum products into the UAE. Each of them was ordered to serve a jail term and pay a fine of Dh150,000.
The court, presided over by Chief Judge Sameh Shaker, sentenced two residents to two years in jail while the other two suspects have to serve six months in prison. Two sailors were acquitted.
The court also ordered the confiscation of the smuggled petroleum products, along with the motor boat the suspects used.
According to court records, RAK coast guards spotted a ship supplying fuel to one of the fishing motor boats in the UAE regional waters. Six people on board were arrested and referred to the RAK public prosecution, which charged them with a number of violations.
They were charged with trespassing into the regional waters of the country without a permit, carrying inflammable products without informing the authorities, and transporting petroleum products without a licence.
They were also accused of trading petroleum products without a licence, sailing in banned areas, and failing to secure medical services on board. No fire-extinguishing equipment was found on the ship, which was another violation.
Denying the charges, the suspects said they were heading to one of the ports in the country to deliver the products.
The defence lawyer told the court that the ship was licensed for transporting petroleum products. He added that all the details of the shipment were registered and available at the port from where the vessel was loaded.
The RAK criminal court adjourned the case with the final verdict.
Ahmed Shaaban Originally from Egypt, I have been in Dubai since December 2005. Before coming here, I worked as an English language instructor, chief En/Ar translator, proofreader, reporter in Egypt and Qatar. I have also worked as a reporter, correspondent and simultaneous translator with two satellite channels in Dubai. I have a masters degree in media, Cairo University, 2014, a bachelor degree in English language and translation, Ain Shams University, Cairo, 1996, and three post-graduate diplomas in English language and Instruction. With over 19 years of experience in translation, interpretation, EFL instruction, and reporting. I am interested in technology, aviation, politics, as well as community, parliament and defence issues. I enjoy reading, writing, exercising, and surfing the web.
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