Drug dealing suspects admit to heroin cache

DUBAI // Two Nigerian men pleaded guilty yesterday at the Dubai Court of First Instance to possessing 1.2kg of heroin. JK was arrested by the Dubai Police anti-narcotics department following a tip-off by an unidentified source, the prosecution told the court. The second man, BS, was later arrested by Sharjah Police. "An investigation into the pair was carried out immediately and a search of their properties and cars resulted in the police finding 1.2kg of heroin," the prosecution said.

Police suspect the men have been importing and exporting heroin as well as dealing the drug inside the UAE. Both men deny charges of dealing the drug. Although both defendants lived in Sharjah, their drug deals were conducted in Dubai, said the prosecution. "The arrests were made in the Naif area in October last year. The gang used to deal exclusively in Dubai," the arresting officer's statement read.

"The narcotics were hidden in their shoes and in paper envelopes inside plastic wallets hidden in the boot of their cars." The prosecution says the gang exported the drugs out of Dubai in cargo containers. The two men face up to 35 years in prison if found guilty of dealing. A hearing has been rescheduled for later this month. * The National