Pakistani man accused of drug dealing

Lawyer for Pakistani man claims he was simply carrying the drugs for a third party, and should not be charged with drug dealing.

ABU DHABI // A man caught with 80 drug capsules should be charged with drug transfer not drug dealing, the Criminal Court heard on Sunday.

The Pakistani defendant said he was paid $5,000 (Dh18,364) to transfer the drugs in his stomach from Pakistan to a buyer in the UAE.

The man tested negative for drug consumption.

His defence lawyer argued that the defendant was simply transferring the drugs, and therefore should not have been charged with drug dealing because he has no role in the purchasing transaction.

A verdict will be announced on October 13.