Drug dealer 'unaware' of hashish ban in UAE

A man seized in possession of drugs told court in Dubai he was unaware hashish is banned in the UAE, claiming it is allowed in his country, Lebanon.

Police had arrested the man, holder of Belgian citizenship, as he arrived in Dubai with two friends from neighboring Oman after they were found to be possessing hashish.

The man, who was not identified, told the judge at the criminal court in the emirate that he had hashish for his personal use not for trading.

“He claimed that he was not aware hashish is banned by UAE laws and that it is allowed in Lebanon,” Emirat Alyoum Arabic language daily said.

Lebanese expatriates who were told about such claims described the defendant as a liar on the grounds all types of narcotics are strictly banned in Lebanon.

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