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Three women arrested with cocaine in Dubai

The Dubai Police have foiled three attempts to smuggle cocaine through the country and have arrested three female drug traffickers.

Major-General Abdul Jalil Mahdi, Director of the General Department of Anti-Narcotics, said the drugs were being smuggled from Latin America to East Asia.

On October 29, anti-drug officials arrested M.A., a 30-year-old Asian passenger, after receiving information that she was possessing drugs. The woman, who had travelled from Brazil and was on her way to Malaysia, was arrested in the transit hall of the Dubai International Airport at 11.30pm.

She was subjected to a search and the police found 880grams of cocaine capsules in a make up bag and candy box, which has an estimated worth of around $240,000. During interrogation, the woman said that she received the drug from an African man she met in Brazil for a sum of 50,000 Brazilian real.

In the second case, a 32-year-old Asian female arrived at the Dubai International Airport on November 3 from Brazil and was also on her way to Malaysia. She too was searched in the transit hall at Terminal 3 and the police found 1.788kg of cocaine in her possession. She told the police that her sister asked her to help orchestrate the drug smuggling.

The third case saw the police arrest another woman drug trafficker who smuggled 80 capsules of cocaine in her stomach. On November 10, the Asian woman arrived at the Dubai International Airport, Terminal 3, at 11pm, again traveling from Brazil.

The accused was on her way to Oman but concerned officials noticed her walking unusually slow so they called her to check her passport and identity. A female police officer then searched the suspect and an X-ray later showed that she had swallowed 80 capsules filled with 292grams of cocaine.

When questioned, she told police that a Thai woman asked her to travel to Brazil to smuggle the drugs in exchange for $3000, with a cash advance of $1000. Upon arrival, an African woman gave her the capsules, she said.

The three woman have been referred to the Dubai Public Prosecution on charges of drug smuggling and drug possession.

Major-General Abdul Jalil praised the international agencies’ cooperation with the Dubai Police, who have been working in unison with other countries in a bid to combat drugs. He added that the UAE respects international treaties and agreements as part of the strategy of the Ministry of Interior and the Dubai Police.

amira@khaleejtimes.com