DUBAI: A 50-year-old man who claimed he was forced by two men to swallow 90 capsules containing hashish has been jailed for 10 years.
Dubai Criminal Court convicted Afghan M K of possessing and smuggling nearly one kilogram of the drug with the intent to sell it, charges he denied last month.
“I was forced by two men to swallow the capsules and they were with me at the airport. I tried to tell passengers around me that I was carrying drugs but the two men would deny it and warn people from me, telling them I was crazy,” said M K.
He added that he approached police and at this point the two men ran away.
Dubai Customs inspector Y A, 33, said he saw the defendant arriving without any luggage and acting suspiciously, so he questioned the traveller on his reason for visiting the UAE.
“He told me he will only be staying for a week,” said Y A.
When the defendant was scanned, the capsules were seen in his stomach.
The defendant was fined Dh50,000 and will be deported after serving his term.