Dubai: A salesman accused of possessing a tiny amount of 0.06 grams of methamphetamine that he intended to sell to a police informant could face life in prison if found guilty.

Drugs Prosecution accused the 30-year-old Filipino salesman, L.J., of possessing a mind-altering substance for trafficking purposes and asked for the implementation of the toughest punishment applicable.

L.J. entered a not guilty plea before the Dubai Court of First Instance on Tuesday.

Drugs prosecutors asked for the implementation of the Anti-Narcotics Law’s article no 49 which stipulates that a suspect, who possesses a mind-altering substance for trafficking purposes, could face life imprisonment and a fine between Dh50,000 and Dh200,000.

“The law enforcement procedures were carried against me in an unlawful manner. The prosecutors’ warrant bore a wrong name [not L.J.] and it was mentioned that my car was blue… my car is red. The substance was not seized in my possession. I am not guilty,” said the suspect when he defended himself before presiding judge Mohammad Jamal.

An Emirati anti-narcotics police captain testified before prosecutors that an informant told them the suspect was looking for someone to buy methamphetamine in July.

“We asked the informant [a woman] to communicate with the defendant and arrange to buy the mind-altering substance in Satwa. We obtained prosecutors’ permission to search and arrest the suspect. The informant arranged with the suspect and they decided to meet around 10pm to finish the deal. A policewoman searched the informant to ensure that she was not carrying any banned substance with her. A police team was watching the informant.

“The suspect arrived in a blue car and stopped in front of the woman near the Iranian Hospital. The suspect stepped out of his car and spoke with the informant for three minutes… as soon as the suspect collected the money he then took out something from his pocket and handed it to the informant, we raided the place and arrested him. We presented the prosecutors’ permission to him. We discovered that his name was L.J. and not B. as was mentioned in the permission,” the captain told prosecutors.

Dubai Police’s forensic laboratory confirmed the methamphetamine weighed 0.06 grams.

The trial continues.