DUBAI // A Saudi was arrested in possession of more than 60kg of illegal amphetamine pills, a court heard on Thursday.
Prosecutors told Dubai Criminal Court that the 29-year-old was arrested on January 10 following a tip-off to Dubai Police’s anti-narcotics department.
“We investigated the information we received and he turned out to be a member in an active drug gang,” said a police major.
Police located the man at a Yemeni restaurant in Al Qusais, he said, but when the man saw police patrols closing in, he got into his car, crashed it into another vehicle as he attempted to flee but because of heavy traffic he abandoned it and took off on foot.
“We gave chase and arrested him a few blocks away. I took him back to his car and had it searched in front of him. We found three large bags, which he claimed contained mobile devices, but when we opened them they all contained drugs,” said the officer.
The accused told police he was given the bags by a man in Al Aweer and he did not know they contained drugs.
“He was tested for using drugs but his results came negative,” said the policeman.
Prosecutors said he possessed 62.82kg of amphetamines.
At Dubai Criminal Court on Thursday morning, the accused denied a charge of possessing drugs to sell.
A verdict is expected on April 10.
salamir@thenational.ae