'Naked' Scanner in Airport Trial -
Tearful visitor admits smuggling heroin capsules in his intestines A customs inspector exposed the attempt of the 31-year-old Pakistani visitor to smuggle 517 grammes of heroin, which he possessed for trafficking purposes.
By Bassam Za'za, Senior Reporter Published: 00:00 October 20, 2009
Dubai: A visitor cried when he admitted in court yesterday that he smuggled 45 heroin capsules, in his intestines, to a Pakistani person in Dubai.
However, he denied that the drugs were for trading purposes.
Prosecutors said a customs inspector exposed the attempt of the 31-year-old Pakistani visitor to smuggle 517 grammes of heroin, which he possessed for trafficking purposes.
Towards the beginning of the hearing at the Dubai Court of First Instance chamber 4, the defendant, M.H., firmly argued: "Yes I did… I am guilty."
Surprised by his confession to a charge whose maximum judgment goes up to capital punishment, Presiding Judge Hamad Abdul Latif Abdul Jawad asked the defendant a second time: "You have been charged with smuggling and possessing drugs with trafficking intentions… what were your intentions behind smuggling and possessing the drugs?"
With tears dropping from his eyes and replying in a weepy voice: "A person in Pakistan handed me the capsules and asked me to drop them to a compatriot of mine… I didn't have his contact details because he was supposed to call me from his hotel and pick the capsules."
The defendant alleged that he was unaware that the capsules contained heroin, when he answered the judge's question if he knew the content of what he carried.
The Public Prosecution charged M.H. with unlawfully bringing in heroin capsules with trafficking intentions.
The suspect pleaded guilty to smuggling and possessing drugs and denied the trading purposes.
An Emirati customs inspector testified that he suspected the defendant who seemed confused when he arrived at the customs counter.
He said the accused was searched and then a scan revealed the capsules. He said after denying, the accused then allegedly confessed. Records said the defendant was referred to Dubai Police's anti-narcotics department before he was taken to hospital to extract the capsules.
Presiding Judge Abdul Jawad will issue his verdict in the case when the court reconvenes next month.
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