DUBAI // A man was arrested after attempting to smuggle cocaine powder that had been spread throughout the clothing in his baggage at Dubai International Airport, police said today.
The drug had been spread in the three bags that the man was carrying. Police could not say exactly how much of the drug was in the bags, which weighed a total of more than 56 kilograms, because they were unable to extract the cocaine from the clothing. The smugglers had spread the powder by using a highly complicated technique, according to police.
Investigators had received information that the suspect, identified as M A, 28, from an unnamed Arab country, was coming from Sao Paulo, Brazil, carrying a large amount of drugs that he intended to smuggle to Damascus via the Dubai airport.
He was stopped on June 1 and asked to identify his bags. Police initially discovered that the bags appeared to contain only clothes, but they became suspicious after noticing a smell similar to that of cocaine coming from the bags.
M A was taken to the Dubai Police anti-narcotic department, where he told investigators that he had agreed to transport the three bags in return for US$5,000 (Dh18,444), according to police. He was going to hand the drugs over to someone he did not know after leaving the airport in Syria, police said.
"The success of this operation is due to the strong intelligence which our forces are able to gather and our vigilance," said Maj Gen Abdul Al Jaleel Almahdi, head of the Dubai Police anti-narcotic department.
wissa@thenational.ae
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Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
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Anita Williams
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2017: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-1
2016: Cleveland bt Golden State 4-3
2015: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-2
2014: San Antonio bt Miami 4-1
2013: Miami bt San Antonio 4-3
2012: Miami bt Oklahoma City 4-1
2011: Dallas bt Miami 4-2
2010: Los Angeles Lakers bt Boston 4-3
2009: Los Angeles Lakers bt Orlando 4-1
2008: Boston bt Los Angeles Lakers 4-2
