Sharjah: A drug smuggler who swallowed a narcotic substance in an attempt to get through Sharjah airport customs was arrested on Tuesday, an official at Sharjah Police said.
The Pakistani suspect risked his life by concealing 62 capsules of heroin weighing about half a kilogram in his stomach.
Officers at Sharjah airport acted after a tip-off from Dubai Police.
They took X-rays of his stomach and discovered the narcotic.
During interrogation, the suspect told police that he was supposed to hand over the heroin to another person to be distributed among residents, especially the youth.
Brigadier Mohammad Eid Al Madhloum, director-general of Police Operations at Sharjah Police, urged parents to monitor the company their children keep.
“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 private schools to spread anti-drug messages.
Sharjah Police urge community members to report drug cases on 800 4654, or the officer on duty on 056 1188272 or the toll-free number Najeed 800 151.
