Sailor with trolley full of hashish jailed for 10 years by Dubai court

Iranian said he thought he was transporting a water pump and that he had not smoked hashish but, instead, had taken a sea-sickness pill given by a crew mate.

DUBAI // A sailor who was caught pushing a trolley loaded with more than 50 kilograms of hashish will spend 10 years behind bars.

At Dubai Criminal Court, Iranian Q A, 25, was convicted of smuggling drugs to sell.

He claimed he was on an errand for his captain and believed the trolley contained a car water pump.

He was also convicted of consuming drugs, which he also denied, and claimed that he took a pill a crewmate gave him when he felt unwell.

Prosecutors said police were tipped off and that Q A had asked for Dh10,000 to deliver them to Dubai.

He was arrested on September 21 last yearat Dubai Creek.

Q A was fined Dh200,000 and will be deported after serving his term.