DUBAI // Seven people were today sentenced to 15 years in prison and fined Dh100,000 each for smuggling heroin.
Five Pakistani men, MA, 30, AN, 22, FA, 57, AM, 46 and PA, 40 were all found guilty by the Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance, along with two Pakistani women - PP, 60, and SF, 40, who is the wife of FA. Judges ignored MA's claim that a kilo and a half of heroin found in his possession was for his personal use.
Police caught the seven in a sting operation after they arrested an eighth person, the Pakistani SM, 30, who was trying to sell a kilo of heroin for US$14,000. He told them a man in Pakistan would call him and provide him with the locations where he would meet people who could supply him with the drug. Police told him to continue doing so under their observation and arrested the other seven between March 3 and 9 last year. SM was sentenced to life in prison.
All eight will be deported after serving their prison terms.
salamir@thenational.ae
