EDITORIAL : Don't accept packages for others in Dubai!
I've had to repeat this countless times: Don't accept packages for others in Dubai!
Author: DBB
Yesterday, a friend of mine in the food service industry told me about his experience from a couple of days ago. In his own words, it was terrifying.
Old X runs a restaurant in Dubai. Two nights ago, around 7 p.m., four men in white robes entered his shop with a Chinese man. One of them identified themselves as a police officer to Old X, insisting he come with them.
Upon understanding the situation, Old X's mind raced. He wasn't sure what he'd done wrong, but since the police were here, it must be serious. Fortunately, Old X kept his cool and quickly thought on his feet. He informed them that his wife wasn't around, and if he left, there'd be no one to watch the shop.
After weeding out the interruptions, he asked them to speak quietly, mindful of the customers dining. He urged them to get straight to the point.
To their credit, the Dubai police officers were reasonable. They brought the Chinese man to Old X and asked, "On [specific date], did this person deliver a package to you?"
Old X could confirm that the Chinese man had indeed eaten at his restaurant, but he hadn't received any "package."
With a clearer picture of the situation, Old X gained confidence. He informed the police that his shop had CCTV, which could be used to verify whether he'd received any package.
Old X proceeded to retrieve and display the relevant CCTV footage to the officers. After about an hour of back-and-forth, they confirmed that the suspect had simply dined at the restaurant and left without delivering any package to Old X.
Then, the four police officers escorted the Chinese man away. Old X noticed the man trembling as he left.
This ordeal unfolded between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Later, around midnight, as Old X was preparing to close up shop, he received a call from his employee.
More police officers had arrived at the shop, wanting to review the CCTV footage once again.
Old X chose not to respond directly, stating he couldn't return and simply provided the CCTV password to his employee, instructing them on how to access and review the footage.
With that, the matter came to a close.
Reflecting on his conversation with me, Old X admitted to feeling calm and courageous at the time but acknowledged feeling scared afterward. Without the CCTV footage, he wouldn't have been able to clarify the situation.
How do you prove you haven't done something?
If you can't explain, you'll undoubtedly be taken in for questioning. We all know how efficient things are here. It could take as little as three to five days or as long as three to five months, or even a year. Who knows, they might just decide to deport you if they're in a bad mood. Or worse, while you're in custody, your family, desperate and frantic, might start bowing and scraping to various so-called "well-connected" individuals, spending tens of thousands just to no avail.