Manager denies drug smuggling charges

Dubai: An operations manager has strongly denied charges of smuggling hashish for trading purposes and possessing $913,000 (Dh3.4 million) in counterfeit bank-notes for business purposes as well.

Prosecutors charged the 37-year-old Iranian suspect with smuggling hashish for trafficking purposes and bringing in 9,130 counterfeit $100 bills for trade.

The defendant, B.I., pleaded not guilty and denied the drug charges when he appeared before the Dubai Court of First Instance yesterday.

Complainant

B.I.'s lawyer, Abdullah Al Taher, told Presiding Judge Hamad Abdul Latif Abdul Jawad: "My client is innocent… he didn't possess the counterfeit dollars. The court earlier convicted an African man of conning and swindling my client, who is a complainant in this case. He is not a defendant. He was the one who notified the police about the fake currency. He shouldn't be prosecuted for possessing and trading in fake currency."

The Public Prosecution charged the Iranian with smuggling a hashish piece weighing 23.48 grammes for trading purposes. He was also charged with possessing four cigarettes stuffed with hashish which weighed 3.27 grammes.

Prosecutors also charged B.I. with bringing in $913,000 in counterfeit currency and intending to use it in the local market.

An Emirati anti-narcotics police lieutenant testified that the defendant was detained in a sting operation.

Meanwhile, an Emirati sergeant testified that they found the fake dollars in the suspect's house

The trial continues.