Man gets 15 years for attempting to smuggle heroin through Dubai airport

Authorities were alerted when they discovered the man had visited the country 14 times in two years

A jobless man who has visited the UAE 14 times in less than two years was found to be in possession of 47 capsules of heroin.
Authorities in Dubai were alerted to the accused, 30, from Pakistan, when they discovered his number of visits to the country – 14 in less than two years, with each only two to three days long.
His name was flagged at all entry points to the country, and he was taken into custody when he arrived at Dubai International Airport on March 18 this year.
The man was referred to the anti-narcotics department at Dubai Police, where he was questioned about his previous visits and whether he had been smuggling drugs.
He allegedly admitted to smuggling heroin in to the country on each visit.

He was found to be carrying 47 capsules in his stomach, containing more than half a kilogram of the drug.
"When he arrived in the UAE, we had him taken into custody based on the arrest warrant issued against him prior to his arrival," said a policeman who worked on the case.
In court, the defendant faced a charge of smuggling drugs to sell, which he denied.
He was found guilty and sentenced to 15 years in prison to be followed by deportation.

He was also fined Dh200,000.
The sentence can be appealed by the defendant within two weeks.