Sunday, June 17, 2012

Circe Mafia

Here's an interesting little story from the Gulf News over the weekend from Aghaddir Ali.  I think I like it because it shows how the UAE is complex and far more than ultra-modern Dubai and worldly Abu Dhabi.  This story relates to sheep rustling in Ras Al Khaimah.

Gang of Rustlers jailed for a month
Four men convicted of 31 cases of stealing more than 400 sheep from local farms

Four men were sentenced to a month in jail on the charge of stealing more than 400 sheep from local farms in Ras Al Khaimah by the Misdemeanour Court, a judiciary official told Gulf News yesterday.

As many as 31 cases had been lodged against the men for stealing livestock and this decision was issued for three of the cases.  Presiding judge Mohammad Al Fasfos announced the ruling on Monday.

The accused men, Emiratis between ages of 18 and 20, told the judge that they were forced by the head of a gang to steal.  According to the accused, the head, a man aged about 45, threatened that he would transform them into cattle using magic if they did not steal.

"They were arrested following complaints by owners of farms about an increase in theft of their livestock," said the official.

They sneaked into farms during the night and stole sheep and goats.

Confessed

The accused confessed that they stole 400 livestock in 31 instances.

According to the official, the gang carried out the thefts with a four-wheel vehicle and also used a pick-up truck at times.  They targeted many farms in various areas in the emirate.

After several reports about livestock thefts, the police had set up a trap to arrest the gang and caught them red-handed on a farm.

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