APL managing director Steve Dolan faces weapons smuggling charges in Dubai

A TOP executive with Singapore's Neptune Orient Lines' container shipping arm, APL, is facing weapon smuggling charges in Dubai that carry a maximum penalty of 50 years' imprisonment.

The charges against APL vice president and managing director Steve Dolan refer to an APL container shipped from Turkey to Djibouti via Dubai that contained 30,000 handguns, reported American Shipper.

Mr Dolan told the St Louis Post-Dispatch that he and three colleagues, two from Sri Lanka and one from India, have been grounded in Dubai because of this case since February.

Mr Dolan said he was innocent and knew nothing about the particulars of that container laden with weapons, adding that he was questioned by police in Dubai in February and was forced to sign a document in Arabic that became a confession.

According to the report St Louis Post-Dispatch, "a panel of judges heard his case earlier this month and a verdict is expected soon," and "if found guilty, he could face up to 50 years behind bars."

Dubai's Jebel Ali Port is the biggest port in the Middle East with a throughput of 13 million TEU in 2011.

So far, APL has made no comment on this case.