Two visitors on trial for smuggling in 22kg of heroin in fruit consignment

Dubai: Two visitors are standing trial for unlawfully bringing in 22kg of heroin in a fruit and vegetables consignment from Pakistan with the intent to sell them in Dubai.

The Pakistani duo, 65-year-old A.Q. and 31-year-old S.F., was arrested in a sting operation during which they tried to sell 7kg of heroin for $91000 (about Dh333,000) and $13,000 (about Dh47,700) per kg.

The Public Prosecution charged them with illegally possessing 22kg of heroin with the intent to sell them. They were also charged with abetting their compatriot H.S., who is still at large, in smuggling the drugs.

A.Q. confessed to the charges before Court of First Instance while his associate pleaded not guilty.

An anti-narcotics police corporal testified: "[An] informant told us that a Pakistani man possessed heroin and was looking for a buyer. ... When we met, he [boasted] that they smuggled [in] the amount from Pakistan to Dubai Cargo Village."