A Dubai resident and her cousin have each been jailed for 10 years after concocting a plot to smuggle drugs into the UAE inside a bag of flour.
The 32-year-old, who is originally from Uganda, was arrested along with her relative, who was caught with 4.5 kilograms of marijuana and the stimulant khat on arrival at Dubai International Airport.
Customs inspectors found the drugs haul stashed inside a bag of flour in the 28-year-old traveller's luggage during a search, Dubai Criminal Court heard.
When questioned by officials, the woman said she had been asked to carry the package by her cousin's mother and had no knowledge of what was concealed inside.
The crime was uncovered on October 30 of last year.
“I searched her luggage and found a bag of flour inside of which another bag contained the drugs,” said an Emirati customs inspector, 29.
“She told me that her aunt back home gave it to her to deliver it to her cousin who lived in Dubai,” said the inspector.
The woman was arrested by police, along with her cousin, who was waiting outside the airport to pick her up.
In court, the 28-year-old defendant denied a smuggling drugs charge, with her cousin entering a not guilty plea to a charge of aiding and abetting.
But both women were convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined Dh50,000 each.
They will be deported once they have served their jail terms.
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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