Dubai driver on trial for hiding heroin in peanuts

This content was originally posted in 7DAYS UAE website at: Dubai driver on trial for hiding heroin in peanuts A man who allegedly imported heroin hidden inside individual peanut shells was arrested when he turned up to collect the package, a court has heard. The Indian national, who worked as a driver, has gone on trial accused of smuggling narcotics into the UAE from his home country. The 32-year-old denies the charges, although police said his flatmate, who is also on trial, tested positive for morphine use. Dubai Court of First Instance heard the package, which also contained clothes, was posted and arrived at Dubai International on 14 August 2015. A customs inspector passed the parcel through the x-ray and spotted “an unusual thickness”. The Emirati, aged 25, said: “When I opened the package, I found clothes and a plastic bag containing peanuts. It didn’t look normal to me and I opened the bag and split them open. “Inside I found small wraps that contained a powder. I gave the powder to my director to transfer to the criminal lab.” The laboratory report confirmed that 31 peanut shells contained 43 grams of a brownish powder, found to be heroin. Dubai Police asked the Indian man to come to collect the package, as his name was on it, and questioned him when he arrived. The accused was then arrested on suspicion of importing drugs. He testified in court on Monday: “I didn’t know it contained heroin. And I didn’t even know it was shipped to me.” Police also arrested a second Indian defendant who was the roommate of the accused. The results of a blood test found that he had recently taken morphine and tramadol. The 33-year-old was charged with consuming drugs – which he confessed to in court. The trial adjourned until later this month. ali.shouk@7days.ae Read the original story at: Dubai driver on trial for hiding heroin in peanuts