Driver blames mother for banned drugs in his possession, Dubai court hears

Pakistani said she told him to deliver drugs to a friend in Dubai but the 22-year-old was stopped at the airport.

DUBAI // A 22-year-old driver accused of smuggling 492 drug tablets blamed his mother at Dubai Criminal Court.

Pakistani R K told judges that she had given him the tablets to carry to Dubai but he was not aware of their nature.

His countryman, N K, 27, is charged with aiding and abetting. Both men denied the charges against them in court on Thursday.

Emirati customs inspector H Y said that the driver was referred to him at the arrivals hall in terminal 1 at Dubai International Airport on August 25.

“My colleague suspected R K’s luggage and referred him to me. I asked him if he possessed anything illegal but he said no. When his luggage was scanned, some tablets were detected,” said the inspector.

He added that the luggage was searched and five boxes containing kemadrin tablets were found in his possession. Kemadrin is principally used to treat Parkinson’s disease but is banned in the UAE.

“He told us he was carrying the boxes to deliver to a friend in Dubai,” said H Y.

A verdict is expected on February 15.