Accused drug smuggler says police smashed his teeth

A man accused of smuggling 6kgs of hashish into the country claims police smashed his teeth during his interrogation.

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DUBAI // A man accused of smuggling drugs into the country claims police smashed his teeth during an interrogation.

JS, a 63-year-old Qatari, was charged by the Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance today with smuggling 6.076kg of hashish and 145 grams of amphetamine.

But his defence lawyer Eisa bin Hayder said his client had been assaulted during his interrogation and asked for him to be medically examined.

"His confession during police investigations was taken under force as he was beaten by police who smashed his teeth and jaw and caused him bruising all over his body," said Mr Bin Hayder.

AM, an Emirati borders inspector, said his department had been informed JS would be trying to enter the country with the drugs in September.

"He was stopped along with another man and four bullets were found with them in their car," said AM.

AM said that four bags of hashish were found in the car as well as 800 tablets of the banned stimulant Captagon. The tablets were stashed in the car's air conditioning filter.

The court heard that JS was found with more than Dh30,000 cash.

The case was adjourned to March 28, and JS was referred for a medical examination.

salamir@thenational.ae