DUBAI // A 22-year-old Pakistani was given life in jail for possessing one kilogram of heroin with the intent to sell.
The drug dealer was arrested after Dubai Police anti-narcotics officers were tipped off about his compatriot, who had a large amount of drugs outside the UAE and was looking for a buyer in the country.
Police located the compatriot and an undercover officer contacted him over the phone, pretending to be a buyer. He was convinced that he would be paid Dh51,000 for kilogram of heroin but the undercover officer requested a sample of the drug before buying it.
The compatriot arranged for the buyer to meet one of his men on February 24 last year in Al Qusais, and the 22-year-old arrived carrying the drugs.
He was arrested when he took the money for the drugs.
During interrogations, the man told police he was promised a percentage of the money from the drug deal.
At Dubai Criminal Court in April last year, the man denied a charge of possessing illegal drugs with the intent to sell, and told the presiding judge that he was only given the drugs for safe keeping.
The case took a long time to return to court but he has now been convicted and will serve a life term - 25 years - before being deported.
salamir@thenational.ae
