UAE | Crime

Visitor sentenced to four years in jail for drug smuggling

A Belgian man who was arrested at the airport for bringing in a hashish-filled cigarette and some marijuana seeds - which he claimed is allowed in his country, has been jailed.

  • By Bassam Zaza, Senior Reporter
  • Published: 14:59 March 18, 2008
  • Gulf News

Dubai: A Belgian man who was arrested at the airport for bringing in a hashish-filled cigarette and some marijuana seeds - which he claimed is allowed in his country, has been jailed.

The Dubai Court of First Instance rejected the 35-year-old's claim for leniency and sentenced him to four years in jail. The accused, identified as E.A., will be deported after serving his sentence.

Leniency plea

The accused earlier pleaded guilty to smuggling and possessing drugs and asked Presiding Judge Saeed Salem Bin Sarm for leniency after having embraced Islam in prison.

"I am guilty... I embraced Islam in prison and I would like to ask you for forgiveness and mercy," E.A said in court.

The Public Prosecution charged him with bringing in and possessing a cigarette filled with hashish and marijuana seeds weighing 1.32 grams.

A customs inspector at Dubai International Airport grew suspicious of the visitor and took him to a search room.

"He approached the counter at about 11.10pm. I escorted him to the search room. I didn't find anything when I searched him personally. The visitor had a cigarette pack, inside which he had placed the hashish cigarette, in his bag," the customs inspector told the Public Prosecution in his statement.

The marijuana seeds were found in the bottom of the bag's pocket.

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