Traders accused of importing three million Tramadol pills into Dubai

Iranians claim the drugs were bought in India and were destined for health clinics in their homeland.

DUBAI // Two traders were accused of importing three million Tramadol pills to sell them at Dubai Criminal Court on Sunday.

Iranians J Z and H S, both 41, denied a charge of importing drugs with the intention to sell.

On January 15 last year, Dubai Customs suspected a shipment coming from India had contraband and inspected its contents using an X-ray machine.

“We found a large number of tablets inside therefore checked the shipment’s documents and found that its owner has registered the contents as medical tools,” testified Emirati inspector O A, 39.

On February 25 last year, the company’s manager was questioned and he told inspectors that he imports the tablets from India to ship them via sea to Iran, the inspector added.

“We then contacted the [police] anti-narcotics department,” said O A.

Police checked the company’s history and found it had imported several other shipments, all of which had been released from port.

“When the Ministry of Health system was checked, the company was found not to be registered,” said O A.

Both defendants told the court that they work in supplying medicine and that the tablets are to be distributed to several Iranian health institutions.

The court amended the charge to just importing drugs, dropping the intent of selling.

The next hearing is on February 14.