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29 March 2024

Transiting heroin smuggler caught at Dubai Airport

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By Staff Writer

Dubai Customs inspectors foiled a bid to smuggle 939.6 grams of pure heroin at Dubai International Airport yesterday. A European passenger swallowed most of the 102 capsules and hid the rest in his handbag while travelling on a transit flight.

Ali Al Mugahwi, Director of Passenger Operation Department at Dubai Customs, said the passenger was coming from an Asian country and was bound for his European country transiting through Dubai International Airport's Terminal 3.

The contents of the bag were uncovered when an inspector became suspiscious while examining one of the suspect's luggage items through the X-ray machine and searched it manually.

As a result, 19 capsules were found, wrapped in a plastic bag and hidden meticulously in the bag, which aroused suspicion. The suspect was then searched but nothing illegal was found on him initially.

However, upon questioning by the Passenger Investigation Department, the suspect confessed to swallowing other narcotics-filled capsules and hiding them in his body. He claimed he had no intention of bringing them into the UAE and meant to deliver these to his accomplices in his country.

The suspect was later referred to hospital where he disposed the 66 capsules. Tests confirmed that the capsules contained pure heroin weighing a total of 939.6 grams.

 

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