DUBAI // A passenger in transit at Dubai International Airport was found trying to smuggle 7.2kg of cocaine to Syria, the Dubai Criminal Court heard today.
FJ, a 34-year-old from Turkey, was stopped at the airport on the night of May 3 this year after arriving from Brazil.
A police officer asked him to open the three bags he was carrying and found the drug in two plastic bags hidden under packages of coffee. Prosecutors said each bag contained a further 12 plastic rolls that contained the drug.
AN, the 33-year-old Yemeni policeman, said the passenger responded in Arabic when he was asked about the drugs. "He told me he did not know the nature of the thing he was carrying and that someone asked him to deliver it to a friend in Syria," he said.
Prosecutors charged FJ with carrying and transporting narcotics. He failed to enter a plea at court, claiming he spoke only Turkish.
The next hearing was scheduled for July 10 when a Turkish language translator will be present.
salamir@thenational.ae
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What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
