Sharjah: A drug smuggler who swallowed a narcotic substance in an attempt to get through Sharjah airport customs was arrested on Monday, an official at Sharjah Police said.
The Afghan risked his life, police said on Tuesday, by concealing 61 capsules of heroin weighing about half a kilogram in his stomach and smuggling them into the country.
Officers at Sharjah airport became suspicious because the smuggler was behaving in a suspicious way, a police official told Gulf News.
They took X-rays of his stomach and discovered narcotics.
The man was arrested and referred to customs officers who interviewed him. Later he was taken to Al Kuwaiti Hospital where he was X-rayed to ensure all the capsules were recovered.
The suspect will be sent to police custody and then referred to the public prosecution.
Brigadier Mohammad Eid Al Madhloum, director-general of Police Operations at Sharjah Police, warned that entry of such quantities of illicit drugs and trafficking them — especially to young people — will attract tough penalties as prescribed by Sharjah authorities.
Brigadier Al Madhloum urged parents to constantly monitor the company their children keep.
He praised the efforts and co-operation between the various police departments in the UAE which played a significant role in maintaining security and helping arrest those posing a risk to society.
“We have aborted many plans of drug dealers in promoting drugs in the UAE and many drug dealers who target young boys were arrested,” the official said, adding that anti-narcotics departments in the UAE are “working hard to ensure the safety of society and arresting the drug dealers before they are able to affect the younger generation”.
Sharjah Police have fanned out through government buildings and 19 private schools to encourage anti-drug messages.
Sharjah Police urge community members to report drug cases on 8004654, or the officer on duty on 0561188272 or the toll-free number Najeed 800 151
