Pattern of UAE trips ends in jail for drug smuggler

A man who has visited the UAE 14 times in less than two years was found to be in possession of 47 capsules of heroin after he was detained in Dubai.

Authorities were alerted to the accused, 30, from Pakistan, when they discovered his number of visits to the UAE – 14 in less than two years, with each only two or three days long.

His name was flagged at all entry points to the country, and he was taken into custody when he arrived at Dubai International Airport on March 18 this year.

The man was referred to the anti-narcotics department at Dubai Police, where he was questioned about his visits and whether he had been smuggling drugs.

He allegedly admitted to having smuggled heroin on each visit.

The man was found to be carrying 47 capsules in his stomach, more than half a kilogram of the drug.

“When he arrived in the UAE, we had him taken into custody based on the arrest warrant issued against him prior to his arrival,” said a policeman who worked on the case.

In court, the defendant faced a charge of smuggling drugs to sell, which he denied.

He was found guilty and sentenced to 15 years in prison to be followed by deportation. He was also fined Dh200,000. The defendant can appeal against the sentence within two weeks.