Dubai: Prosecutors are seeking the death sentence against a driver and a worker who have been accused of possessing 5.2kg of banned substances for promotional purposes.

The 32-year-old Pakistani driver, I.M., and his 30-year-old countryman worker, F.A., were said to have possessed 692 capsules of drugs and mind-affecting substances weighing more than 5.2kg for promotional purposes in December 2014.

Drugs prosecutors have asked the Dubai Court of First Instance to implement the toughest punishment applicable [capital punishment as per the Penal Code’s article 48] against the duo, who possessed heroin and diazepam for promotional purposes.

The suspects pleaded not guilty and denied having possessed the banned substances for promotional purposes when they defended themselves before presiding judge Urfan Omar.

An anti-narcotics second lieutenant testified to prosecutors that an informant tipped them that I.M. was consuming drugs and possessed banned substances that he intended to promote.

“We obtained prosecutors’ permission to search and arrest the defendant. The informant alerted us that I.M. was driving his pickup from Al Ain to Dubai. An anti-narcotics police patrol waited for him near one of the bridges and, once he approached, we stopped him. F.A. was with him. When we searched the driver, we found Dh12,300 in his pocket. Upon inquiring whether he was carrying drugs, I.M. admitted that he had some capsules hidden under the driver’s seat. We lifted the seat and found a bag full of heroin capsules. He also admitted that he had more banned substances in his residence in Al Baraha. We raided his flat and seized the remaining banned substances that were kept in a handbag. Upon questioning him, the driver claimed that he gets the drug capsules from Pakistanis who smuggle them in their stomachs and intestines when they fly to Dubai. I.M. further alleged that he keeps the drugs in his possession and waits for instructions from the drugs’ owner [who lives abroad] to deliver them to certain people.” Meanwhile F.A. alleged that he helps the driver in distributing the drugs, the lieutenant claimed to prosecutors.

Presiding judge Omar said the court will appoint lawyers to defend the suspects when it reconvenes on June 21.