DK and AM, two Pakistanis, told the Criminal Court they had collected sealed carton boxes from a man named J at Dubai Mall and driven them to Abu Dhabi without knowing hashish was inside, while a third compatriot, AK, fled the country.[1] Chief Justice Sayed Abdul Baseer heard that the men had earlier told police they rented an apartment in Khour Anz to hide the drugs, which DK said was beaten out of him, saying police forced the statement and the marks were still on his body.[1] The case was adjourned to late August.[1]

Joint Emirati-Pakistani investigations then exposed a gang moving hashish through the Emirates for onward sale to Saudi Arabia, with the prime suspect offering Dh2,000 per kilogram to a mule and Dh200,000 for storage; the pair were caught handing part of the load to an undercover officer.[2] The 53 kg, kept in five drums in the Dubai room, was seized with Dubai Police help, and the court sentenced all three men to death, the fugitive in his absence, after they admitted possession but denied trafficking.[2]