Dubai Police seize 350 ecstasy pills bound for prison

DUBAI // Police have foiled an attempt to smuggle more than 350 ecstasy pills into Dubai Central Prison.

Police said a small amount of the synthetic drug Spice was also seized during the operation, carried out on August 27 by the anti-narcotic department in cooperation with the prison's administration.

Major General Abdul Al Jaleel Mahdi, the head of the anti-narcotic department, said officers were tipped off that a cleaner at the prison was smuggling the drugs to inmates. He was arrested near his home in Jebel Ali and officers found the drugs on him. Police believe he was also attempting to smuggle a number of mobile phones into the prison.

Police said the cleaner had confessed to receiving the drugs from an Emirati who told him to deliver them to his compatriot who was serving time at the jail, in return for Dh1,000.

The inmate in question was said to be serving time for a drug-related offence. He was also said to have a substantial criminal record. Police arrested the alleged supplier at a house in Al Mamzar.

NA, a 35-year-old Ugandan, was charged with possessing and supplying drugs and with smuggling prohibited items. SH, a 26-year-old Emirati, was also charged with supplying drugs, while MA, a 37-year-old prison inmate, was charged with attempting to smuggle drugs.

wissa@thenational.ae