Couple claims friend gifted hashish as tea

Dubai - The couple pleaded not guilty and told presiding judge Hussain Al Ousofi that they were cheated by a friend who came from Iran on visit visa.

A 60-year-old man and his wife, who stood trial at the Sharjah Shariah Court for using hashish, told the court that a friend gave the substance to them, saying it was green tea.
The couple pleaded not guilty and told presiding judge Hussain Al Ousofi that they were cheated by a friend who came from Iran on visit visa. They said he gave them the substance packed as green tea.
They were arrested on December 21, last year by the Sharjah Police and the man told the police that he needed a translator. During interrogation, he said they used the substance for medical reasons, without knowing it was hashish.
The accused requested the court to release him on bail which was rejected by the judge. However, the case was adjourned to November 9 to bring an interpreter who could speak Persian as the wife knows no other language.
Drug trafficking
In another case, the court charged two Asians for drug trafficking.
Two officials from the Sharjah police's anti-narcotic department testified that they raided the house of the accused Al Shwaiheen after receiving information that they possessed drugs. The police found heroin packed on plastic covers during a search on their shared apartment.
During interrogation, the first accused said he used the drug for medical treatment and he had a prescription for that. When the police asked them about the money found in their possession, they said that they got it by selling alcohol.
However, the first accused told the presiding judge the drug belonged to him and it was for his personal use, while the second suspect said that the drug was given to him by a third Asian suspect to promote it.
The court adjourned the case to next Sunday to enable the lawyers of the two accused to submit their defence.
amira@khaleejtimes.com