UAE Charges 13 Defendants and Six Companies with Illegal Arms Trafficking, Forgery, and Money Laundering

Overview of the Case

Abu Dhabi: The Attorney-General of the UAE, Counsellor Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, has ordered the referral of 13 defendants and six UAE-registered companies to the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal (State Security Court). They face serious charges, including illicit trafficking in military materiel, forgery, and money laundering.

This decision follows extensive investigations conducted by the Public Prosecution, which uncovered attempts by the defendants to transport a shipment of ammunition through UAE territory to the Port Sudan Authority, violating national laws and regulations.

Investigation Findings

The investigation revealed connections to procurement arrangements initiated by the armament committee of the Port Sudan Authority, led by Abdel Fattah Al Burhan and his deputy Yasser Al Atta. Coordination for these activities is attributed to Othman Mohammed Al Zubair Mohammed. The charges also extend to individuals alleged to have played significant roles in the direction and coordination of these operations, including Salah Abdallah Mohammed Saleh, known as Salah Gosh.

The defendants are accused of engaging in illicit trafficking of military materiel, forgery, and the use of official documents, along with laundering proceeds from these crimes. These actions represent serious violations of UAE law.

Details of the Transactions

According to prosecutors, the operation involved two interrelated transactions characterized by prior planning and the use of commercial and financial fronts to mask their illegal nature.

In the first transaction, finalized outside the UAE, an agreement was made to supply military materiel, including Kalashnikov rifles, machine guns, and grenades. The declared value of this transaction was US$13 million, while its actual value was estimated at less than US$10 million. The discrepancy was allocated as illicit commissions among the defendants for facilitating the deal, with payments funneled through licensed companies and bank accounts in the UAE under fictitious commercial cover.

The second transaction occurred within the UAE, utilizing over US$2 million from the proceeds of the first deal to acquire an additional shipment of ammunition. A portion of this shipment was brought into the country through fraudulent means, employing a private aircraft in preparation for transfer to Port Sudan.

Foiling the Operation

Authorities successfully uncovered the operation by tracking financial flows and shipments, ultimately thwarting the scheme before its completion. The defendants were arrested, preventing the attempted transit of military materiel.

Further investigations indicated that the scheme extended beyond the seized shipment, with plans to smuggle an additional five million rounds of Goryunov ammunition through six more transactions. Disruption of the initial shipment effectively halted these plans.

The investigation yielded substantial evidence, including the seizure and analysis of financial and commercial records, documents, and official correspondence. Additionally, tracked bank transfers and cash flows linked to the transactions were documented, along with confessions from several defendants and recorded communications demonstrating coordination among those involved.

Previous Announcements

On April 30, 2025, the Attorney-General announced that security authorities had successfully foiled an attempt to illegally transport weapons and military materiel to the Port Sudan Authority. This operation led to the arrest of individuals involved and laid the groundwork for the current case.

In a concluding statement, the Public Prosecution emphasized that the UAE will not tolerate any attempts to exploit its territory, institutions, or financial systems for unlawful purposes. The sovereignty and security of the state are deemed a red line, with a commitment to applying the law firmly against all involved.

Individuals Referred to Trial

The following individuals have been referred to trial:

• Rashed Omar Abdul Qader Ali
• Mohammed Al Fath Mohammed Beik
• Salah Abdallah Mohammed Saleh
• Abdullah Khalafallah
• Ahmed Rabie Sayed Ahmed Mohammed
• Yasser Abdulrahman Hassan Al Atta
• Othman Mohammed Al Zubair Mohammed
• Maher Abduljalil Mohammed Abduljalil
• Khaled Yousef Mukhtar Yousef
• Ahmed Khalafallah Abdullah Ahmed
• Mubarak Ali Al Sheikh Mohammed
• Othman Bakr Ali Karrar
• Musab Awad Al Karim Hassan Mohammed

Companies Involved

The six companies referred to trial include:

• Rashed Omar Brokerage Company
• Portex Trade Limited
• Wardat Al Masarra Trading Company
• Sudamina Company
• Yellow Sand Trading Company
• Apollara Electronics Trading Company

As reported by www.emirates247.com.

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Published on 2026-04-30 22:03:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk