Drug mule tried to smuggle 70 capsules of heroin into UAE

The court found that the defendant was only transporting the drugs into the UAE and did not intend to sell them

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ABU DHABI// A drugs smuggler who was caught with 70 capsules of heroin inside his stomach was sentenced to 10 years in jail, followed by deportation on Monday.

But the man was spared a harsher sentence because the Criminal Court believed he was just the mule and not the main seller.

The court heard that police had been tailing a drug dealer from Pakistan. A undercover CID officer had made contact with the dealer and placed an order.

But the dealer left the country for Pakistan before he could be arrested.

Soon after, he called the policeman and offered him 10 capsules of heroin for Dh7,500. He said he would be sending them with the smuggler, but told him to wire the money to him in Pakistan.

The drugs mule was arrested by police on arrival at Abu Dhabi airport.

Evidence showed that he was just transporting the drugs, rather than personally planning to distribute them.

hdajani@thenational.ae