ABU DHABI // Three men have been charged with drug use and dealing after being caught at Abu Dhabi airport with 5 kilograms of cocaine in their stomachs.
In the Criminal Court on Monday the trio denied they intended to sell the cocaine, claiming it was for personal use.
They also denied having used any of it while in the UAE.
They were caught in transit from Brazil to Nigeria.
One of the three men left the plane because he felt sick. He asked for help from airport staff and told them his two friends were with him.
Staff found out that he had the drugs in his stomach, then caught the second defendant in the transit area and the third on the plane, the court heard.
Defence lawyer Hassan Al Marzouqi said the men did not have entry visas, so they could not have intended to sell the drugs in the UAE.
No one was waiting for them at the airport to take the drugs, Mr Al Marzouqi said.
The first defendant said he had taken some of the cocaine in Brazil, but not in the UAE.
One of the others said he had not left the plane and had no plans to meet anyone or enter the UAE.
A verdict is due on December 10.
hdajani@thenational.ae
