Ten-year jail term for drug smuggler

Dubai: A Pakistani visitor has been jailed for ten years and ordered to pay a hefty fine of Dh50,000 after a court found him guilty of smuggling heroin capsules in his intestines.

The 31-year-old visitor had previously pleaded guilty before the Dubai Court of First Instance.

In delivering the verdict on Thursday, Presiding Judge Hamad Abdul Latif Abdul Jawad said the accused will be deported after serving his term.

Prosecutors accused 31-year-old M.H. with unlawfully bringing in the 45 heroin capsules, which weighed 517 grammes, for trading purposes.

An Emirati customs inspector exposed the smuggling attempt at Dubai International Airport's customs counter.

According to the primary verdict, M.H. was found guilty of smuggling and possessing drugs for distributional purposes and not for trafficking.

When he defended himself, the accused cried and admitted that he smuggled the banned substances to a Pakistani person in Dubai. He denied the charge of possessing the drugs for trafficking purposes.

M.H. told the judge in a firm voice: "Yes I did…I am guilty."

Surprised by his confession to a charge whose maximum punishment goes up to death sentence, Presiding Judge Abdul Jawad asked M.H. a second time to explain his motives in possessing and smuggling the drugs.

He replied: "A person in Pakistan handed me the capsules and asked me to distribute them to my compatriot… I didn't have his contact details because he was supposed to call me from his hotel and pick the capsules."

Unaware

M.H. said he had not been aware that the capsules contained heroin.

The Emirati customs inspector said that he became suspicious when the defendant, who seemed confused, arrived at the counter.

He said the accused was searched and then a scan revealed the capsules. He said after denying the charges, the accused then allegedly confessed.

The primary verdict is still subject to appeal within 15 days.