Two charged with plan to distribute narcotics

DUBAI // Two men have appeared in court charged with attempting to distribute heroin and methamphetamine.

Pakistani B K, 38, denied the charge at the Dubai Criminal Court and said he was only hired to drive and had no knowledge of the drugs. His compatriot J K, 49, also denied the charge.

Court was told that police were tipped off that B K and J K were in possession of drugs on February 14 this year.

Anti-narcotics agents arrested B K at his home in Al Rafaa.

“B K handed us heroin and methamphetamine found in his apartment and told us that he had more in his car,” said police officer M N. Police seized 6.4 kilograms of heroin and 1.5kg of methamphetamine.

“A week before I was arrested, J K approached me and told me to go pick up some stuff from the capital in return for Dh1,000,” said B K.

He told prosecutors he picked up the drugs in the Al Mussafah industrial area from a Pakistani man.

“After we returned to Dubai, J K told me to keep the drugs in my home until he called a lorry driver who will take them out of the country,” B K said.

J K was arrested at Sharjah airport.

Emirati police officer A L told prosecutors that JK tried to flee custody.

“While being transported to the anti-drugs enforcement agency, he tried to escape but we were able to restrain him.”

During interrogations, J K received two SMS messages from a number in Pakistan.

“One message instructed him to receive a new shipment containing 350 capsules and a bag, the other message contained a mobile number and instructed JK to contact that number,” said A L.

The next hearing is set for June 18.