Boat found with 40kg of drugs hidden in fuel tank in Dubai

Three sailors have been arrested

Three sailors have been accused of attempting to smuggle 40 kilograms of drugs into the UAE hidden within the fuel tank of their boat.

Customs inspectors searched the boat, which came form Iran, at Deira port. "I was informed by inspectors that they found hidden substances and they suspected they may be drugs," said an anti-narcotics officer.

He said the substances were stashed inside the diesel tanks. "I questioned a 30-year-old defendant on the spot and he told me the hidden substances were in fact drugs," said the policeman.

The defendants allegedly said they boat's owner had told them to deliver the drugs to two men in Dubai, who would then distribute them. 

The substances, weighing 40.5kg, included hash, opium, heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine.

Police also found 9,228 tablets and capsules of methadone, Tramadol, Pregabalin, and benzodiazepines. 

The three accused, 30, 37, and 38, denied a drug smuggling charge.

The next hearing has been scheduled for March 18.