DUBAI // A driver accused of smoking hashish claims he inhaled the drug by mistake because it was “in the air” at one of the many places he visited as part of his job.

“Is the air filled with hashish now?” asked the presiding judge at the Criminal Court after hearing the not guilty plea from Syrian O S, 34.

Policeman K M, 24, said he was assigned to arrest the man on August 24 this year after a tip off.

“When I arrested him in Al Aweer he denied consuming drugs and we didn’t find any kind of banned substance with him,” said the policeman.

Urine tests found traces of the drug in the driver’s system.

A verdict is expected on November 10.

salamir@thenational.ae