Court acquits woman of smuggling fake currency

The Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance acquitted a 25-year-old Pakistani woman accused of smuggling in 4,998 forged bank notes totalling about one million Indian rupees in value.

Dubai Prosecution accused SBK, visitor, of smuggling in 977 currency notes of 1,000 rupees and 3,682 currency notes of 500 rupees with the knowledge of them being counterfeit.

Dubai Airport Inspector Shams Al Nisa testified that one of SBK’s bags was abnormally heavy. When asked what does the luggage contained, she replied ‘personal stuff’. She said she did not mind opening the bag but she did not have the keys of the bag and did not know the secret number of the bag’s lock.

“The bag was heavy even after it was completely emptied, so it was forced open and bank notes were found hidden in it ,” she testified.

“Although the passenger said that the bag carried personal belongings, it contained male dress,” testified another inspector.

The accused testified before the prosecution that she handed over the bag’s key to the inspection officer whereas the witnesses testified that the accused said she did not have  the key and did not know the lock’s secrete number.