UAE | Crime
UN drug advisor caught with hashish
An international adviser with the Poppy Elimination Programme in Kandahar, Afghanistan and consultant with the UN's Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) pleaded innocent against possessing 0.6 grammes of hashish for personal use before a court on Tuesday.
- By Bassam Za'za', Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 June 12, 2007
- Image Credit: Gulf News file
- Afghan poppy farmer smiles as he holds up harvested poppies in his poppy field in this April 2002 file photo.
Dubai: An international adviser with the Poppy Elimination Programme in Kandahar, Afghanistan and consultant with the UN's Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) pleaded innocent against possessing 0.6 grammes of hashish for personal use before a court on Tuesday.
The Public Prosecution had charged the Canadian suspect, H.W., with smuggling and possessing 0.6 grammes of hashish and two poppy seeds for personal use besides consuming hashish.
His lawyer Saeed Al Gailani of Al Gailani Advocates and Legal Consultants told the Dubai Court of First Instance: “My client is an anti-narcotics officer who cooperates with the UNODC.
"During his one-hour transit visit from Kandahar where he was on an anti-narcotics campaign, he was caught at the airport carrying the poppy seeds, which he was taking to Canada for experiments.''
Al Gailani said as part of the campaign, H.W. collects tonnes of drugs a day and burns them. “His trousers must have mistakenly picked up the tiny quantity of hashish,'' said the lawyer.
H.W. pleaded innocent against all the charges before the judge.
Al Gailani told presiding judge Mahmoud Al Sharshabi that his client was “illegally questioned in the absence of a legal translator''.
“It was natural that he tested positive for hashish which appeared in his urine test because he is considered a passive smoker especially that he burns about ten tonnes a day,'' said the lawyer.
Al Gailani handed the court a commendation letter issued by the Canadian Secretary of State for his dedication and service to the Poppy Elimination Programme in Kandahar and other activities.
A verdict will be issued in the case later this month.
Community Reports
-
Mirror, mirror show me the way
Driver on Salam Street had so many boxes and fruits piled into car, he would not be able to view rear or right side mirrors
-
Parents should be more vigilant
Reader's picture highlights risk of negligence by caretakers
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
Latest news
- Youngsters dance and raise cash for charity
- Dubai departments upgrade services
- Get yourself a free test for diabetes
- Ensuring a safety net for intellectual property
- Reader's issue addressed
- 5,552 illegals held in Dubai this year
- Man cleared because he took drugs in France
- Man charged with trafficking women
- Auditors to probe Mizin graft case
- Transfusion centre launches new toll free number
- Mirror, mirror show me the way
- Last minute ID rush is on
- Breaking down cultural barriers with photographs
- Car seats for children: Unsafe at any speed
- Abu Dhabi Crown Prince visits Islamic centre
