Man caught with 34kg of cannabis at Dubai airport jailed for 10 years

A traveller caught in possession of 34 kilograms of cannabis at Dubai International Airport was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

The Nigerian man, 26, was arrested in Terminal 2 after arriving in the emirate on a visit visa on October 30 last year.

A customs inspector discovered the haul of drugs after carrying out a search of his luggage.

“He acted suspiciously as he was trying to pass customs,” the Emirati inspector said.

"I was asked to search his luggage, which consisted of three large plastic bags, and all contained drugs."

Inspectors found 14.4kg of cannabis in one bag, 13.4kg in another and 6.6kg in the third.

During questioning, the man denied knowing the nature of the substance he was carrying.

“He said a countryman had asked him to deliver the bags to a man in Dubai,” said a police officer.

Earlier this month, he denied charges of possessing and smuggling drugs to sell but was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison, to be followed by deportation.

He was also fined Dh50,000 ($13,612).