Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai (SHP)
Dubai, Feb 18: A 21-year-old traveller was sentenced to 10 years in jail on Tuesday after Dubai Airport authorities caught him with more than 1kg of heroin. The narcotics were found in his luggage, stashed in green tea bags.
The man who is of Pakistani origin who was convicted of smuggling and for illegal possession of drugs was also fined Dh50,000, by the Dubai Court of First Instance. Once the accused has completed his jail term and paid the penalty, he would be deported.
The Pakistani man arrived at Dubai International Airport on November 7 last year on a visit visa, the court heard earlier.
A customs inspector, who was on duty at 4 am on the day of the incident said, "The defendant's luggage looked suspicious because of its abnormal volume. The accused was then stopped and his bags were searched."
The official found three bags of green tea inside another small bag contained heroin. Based on the information, the traveller was then referred to the Dubai Police anti-narcotics department. He was arrested and has since been detained.
A crime lab report confirmed that the substance was heroin, which weighed 1,145g. The ruling may be appealed.