DUBAI // The lawyer of a man accused of smuggling opium poppies into the UAE said his client was innocent because he was not aware the plant was banned here.
After Pakistani M N confessed to a charge of smuggling and possessing 227 grams of opium poppies at Dubai Criminal Court, his lawyer said the 22-year-old did not know it was illegal.
“In Pakistan they use it in cooking and I brought them with me unknowing they were illegal here,” said M N who was caught carrying the plant on April 22 at Dubai International Airport.
His lawyer claimed the drug, which is a type of herb from which opium and poppy seeds are derived, was used in the past by mothers as medication before it was listed as a banned drug in the Emirates. He requested the court’s leniency and M N be found not guilty.
A verdict is expected on September 14.
salamir@thenational.ae
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In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
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Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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