Abu Dhabi: Man sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for illegal arms trafficking

The Abu Dhabi Criminal Court sentenced a man accused of illegal trafficking in firearms and ammunition to ten years’ imprisonment and a fine of one million dirhams, with the seizure of the items involved in the illegal trade, and compelled him to pay the costs, fees and disbursements resulting from the disposal of the seized items.

The accused engaged into a criminal activity, namely the trafficking of firearms and ammunition without a licence from the competent authorities, offering them for sale by posting pictures of the weapons and ammunition on social media. The authorities quickly became aware of the matter, and established a plan which consisted of contacting the “seller” through an undercover agent who allegedly wanted to acquire weapons. He agreed with the ‘seller’ on the price to be paid and the place of delivery. After investigation, the Public Prosecution issued a warrant for the arrest of the accused and the search of his home.

Based on the warrant issued by the Abu Dhabi Public Prosecution, the accused was arrested, his home searched and items were seized. The technical examination of the seized items revealed that it was an automatic rifle with its complete parts ready for use, in addition to ammunition and bullets of the same calibre as the seized weapon.

In substantiating its decision, the court stated that the evidence against the accused was clear, in addition to the accused’s own admission during the investigation conducted by the Public Prosecution and his statements recorded in the seizure report and the forensic evidence report.

It should be noted that Article 3/1 of Federal Decree Law No. 17 of 2019 on Weapons, Ammunition, Explosives, Military Materiel And Hazardous Substances, provides that the “Possession, Acquisition, Obtainment, Carrying, Import, Export, re-Export, Transit, Trans-shipment, Trade, Manufacture, Repair, transportation, or disposal of any weapon, Ammunition, Explosives, Military Materiel, or Hazardous Substances, shall not be permitted in any way, except after obtaining a Licence or Permit to this effect from the Licensing Authority or from the Concerned Entity, according to the provisions of this Decree-Law.“