DUBAI // A passenger caught at the airport in Dubai with nearly two kilograms of cocaine has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.
The American MJ, 38, who was also fined Dh100,000, was stopped at Dubai International Airport just before midnight on June 30 this year when inspectors became suspicious of his thick suitcase.
The bottom of the suitcase was covered with a plastic sheet fixed to the bag with screws. It was concealing a grey bag containing 1.788kg of cocaine.
"I bought it from Colombia and travelled through Brazil then on to Dubai to head to Holland," the man told the Criminal Court. He told airport inspectors he was delivering it to a person he did not know in return for 7,500 euros.
The man will be deported after completion of his prison term.
salamir@thenational.ae
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Martin Sabbagh profile
Job: CEO JCDecaux Middle East
In the role: Since January 2015
Lives: In the UAE
Background: M&A, investment banking
Studied: Corporate finance
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