Pakistani man arrested for 'drug peddling' in UAE using WhatsApp

Our information was that he used social media, including Facebook and Instagram, to peddle drugs, official says

A Pakistani national was charged with promoting drugs on the famous messaging app on Thursday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to Khaleej Times.

The 41-year-old, who worked as a driver, allegedly peddled drugs by sending messages on WhatsApp.

Prosecutors accuse him of broadcasting information with the aim to peddle drugs and also of using narcotics. He was arrested back in December 26 of last year in Al Muraqqabat area.

"We had a reliable source tipping us off that the accused was taking and possessing drugs for peddling at his place in Al Waheeda," a lieutenant with the Dubai Police anti-narcotics division said.

"We raided his place and he was found in his room in the upper floor. A sizable amount of money was found in his pocket, which we suspected he made from selling drugs."

The accused claimed to the police that the money was from selling his car while he was detained at the central jail about three weeks earlier.



"However, our criminal database showed that he got released from jail on May 27, 2017. He became tense when confronted with that and acted elusively," the lieutenant told the prosecutor.

"Our information was that he used social media, including WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram, to peddle drugs. His mobile phone was seized and he was taken to the general directorate of anti-narcotics.

He was later referred to the general directorate of criminal evidence for drug tests."

Several conversations and voice notes, in which uncommon words were used, most probably to order purchase of drugs in addition to pictures of white powder, were found stored in the defendant's mobile phone.

According to the crime lab report, the driver's urine sample tested positive for traces of morphine and codeine. A court ruling will be issued on April 26.

The article originally appeared on Khaleej Times