DUBAI // A man was caught with nearly a kilogram of cocaine in his stomach after he fell sick at Dubai airport and required surgical intervention to save his life.
The 43-year-old visitor from Togo arrived at Dubai International Airport on March 4 this year showing signs of pain, Dubai Criminal Court heard.
He was referred to a hospital, where he underwent surgery. Doctors removed 61 capsules containing 895 grams of cocaine from his stomach.
“At nearly 6pm that day he went into surgery and the capsules were taken out. I was there and witnessed the surgery,” said a 26-year-old policeman.
During questioning, the defendant said he did not know the nature of the capsules he was carrying. He said an Emirati man promised him US$5,600 (Dh20,568) to smuggle drugs into the UAE.
At court on Wednesday, the defendant confessed to a charge of smuggling drugs. A verdict is expected on October 11.
salamir@thenational.ae
