Attempt to smuggle Dh5.7M worth of narcotics foiled

dubai — A PRO of a sheep trading company was allegedly caught at the Jebel Ali Port with a large quantity of amphetamine pills hidden inside a shipment of barrels of animal guts.

He was in charge of getting clearance papers issued for the shipment, the Court of First Instance was told.

According to public prosecution records, as many as 5,756,100 amphetamine pills, weighing more than 1 tonne, were found inside the seized animal guts shipment. The PRO, a 26-year-old from Syria, has been charged with smuggling of drugs for trafficking.

The case dates back to April 25. The accused was apprehended by Dubai Customs officers after a large quantity of amphetamine pills was found inside a shipment which he was busy finishing its clearance papers at the customs, to get it out of the Jebel Ali Port.

“The accused was referred to the General Directorate of Narcotics where he was questioned about the shipment. He said he had come to work on the clearance procedure at Jebel Ali upon the request of his brother who was then in Turkey,” an anti-narcotics major said.

“The defendant said the shipment contained animal guts. He was to transport that haul to a warehouse in Dubai to deliver it to another person.

He said he was paid $4,400 by his brother through an accomplice in Egypt. His share was Dh5,000 after the clearance of the goods was done.”

According to the major, the defendant claimed he was surprised to see the drugs in the shipment. He is believed to have two accomplices who lived abroad. No drugs were found at the PRO’s place.

mary@khaleejtimes.com