Lorry drivers caught with 4kg of heroin in Dubai must serve out jail terms

The prison sentence and a Dh50,000 fine against the Pakistani men, aged 35 and 28, were upheld by the Dubai Court of Appeal.

DUBAI // Two lorry drivers convicted of possessing more than four kilograms of heroin must see out their 10-year jail terms, the Dubai Court of Appeal has ruled.

The Pakistanis, aged 35 and 28, were arrested on May 15 last year after police received a tip off.

An officer said the defendants were looking for a driver to take the drugs to Kuwait in return for Dh48,000.

“I was assigned to pose as a truck driver and contacted one of the defendants. When I met with him at the Fruit and Vegetables Market, I asked him if the drugs belonged to him,” the officer said. “He said they belonged to a man in Pakistan and that his role is to store them and help ship them to Kuwait.”

The officer said the defendant told him to wait for orders from the man in Pakistan, who later called to inform him that, once he crossed the border into Kuwait, a man would arrive to pick up the drugs.

Two days later, the officer arranged to meet the defendants to collect the drugs. When they arrived, both were arrested. The drugs were found in their vehicle.

A medical report said they had consumed morphine before their arrest. They admitted to consumption and possession of drugs.

They will be deported after completing their prison terms.