Beware of bringing liquor from Ajman
Staff Report
DUBAI – Hooligans are reportedly preying on expatriates buying liquor from Ajman and transporting it through Sharjah, ramming the victim’s car in a ploy to earn blackmail money.
Victims of this latest modus operandi are Dubai expatriates who do not have a licence to buy alcohol in the emirate but buy liquor in Ajman where laws on purchasing or consuming alcohol are lenient.
A Dubai expat, who wished to remain anonymous, told Pilipinas Today that he was driving in Sharjah and was on his way to Dubai after buying a few cases of liquor from Ajman when another car hit his vehicle.
“I got out [of the car] and the driver and his companion inspected my boot for damage, then asked if I could open it. In my panic I said I had liquor inside. That was when they asked for money and threatened to report me to the police if I did not give them what they asked,” he said. Not willing to get into more trouble, he ended up paying the suspects AED 1,500.
Alcohol is banned in Sharjah. In Dubai, anyone consuming, transporting, possessing or selling alcohol needs a licence. Penalties for offenders include imprisonment of six months and a fine of AED 5,000.
Related story: How to get alcohol licence in Dubai or Abu Dhabi
