Passenger cleared of smuggling drugs through Dubai to Syria

DUBAI // A passenger arrested at Dubai International Airport and accused of trying to smuggle 7.2kg of cocaine to Syria was today acquitted by the Dubai Criminal Court.

FJ, a 34-year-old from Turkey, was stopped on May 3 this year after arriving from Brazil. The police officer AN, a 33-year-old from Yemen, asked him to open the three bags he was carrying and found the drug in two plastic bags hidden under packages of coffee. Each bag contained a further 12 plastic rolls that contained the drug.

The passenger said he had been asked to deliver the package to a person in Syria, but that he was unaware of its contents.

He did not enter a plea at court, claiming he spoke only Turkish. The reasons for his acquittal were not explained.

salamir@thenational.ae