Duped ‘smuggler’ released after innocence proved

An Indian expatriate who landed in an Abu Dhabi jail for “unknowingly” carrying drugs in a parcel given to him by an acquaintance, was released on Thursday as his innocence was proved after 36 days of imprisonment.

K.M. Shiju’ release came after the arrest of the real culprits in his hometown in the south Indian state of Kerala, which was then communicated to the UAE authorities through the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

A structural fabricator, Shiju said he was trapped by a friend’s friend on June 18, the day he returned from Kochi to Abu Dhabi after attending his father’s funeral.

No outsider’s baggage, please! Never carry an outsider’s baggage, is the message that Indian expatriate Shiju, who was released after his innocence in a drugs smuggling case was proved, has to tell his fellow beings. Shiju’s story is a classic example of how flyers get duped by accepting to carry parcels from others, especially strangers. “It was a big mistake that I did,” Shiju toldKhaleej Times. “Most of us in India do it without any suspicion. I don’t want this to happen to anyone else. So, I am requesting to raise awareness.” Indian Ambassador the UAE T.P. Seetharam also aired a word of caution. “(Flyers) shouldn’t take any item from anybody without knowing what exactly it is.” Accepting to carry the baggage of a stranger is a big risk, he said. “Even if they are known people, check if they packed it by themselves or ask them to pack it in front of you,” he advised. sajila@khaleejtimes.com

“I was already shattered as my father had died when his small boat capsised while he was fishing,” Shiju told Khaleej Times on Friday from his company accommodation in Abu Dhabi. “I did not bother to check what was in the parcel which I kept in my baggage. I just accepted it when they said it contained a jacket and some certificates.” He said authorities here found that a cover containing the drugs was wrapped inside a shirt which was again put in another packet. “I still don’t know what exactly it was. I was told it was hashish.”

Shiju said two of his friends here flew down to Kerala the very next day. “Had they not gone and exposed my case through the media, I would never have come out of jail. I don’t know how to thank them, my family, all the villagers there, who formed an action committee to fight for justice for me, and all the ministers and political leaders who took up my matter.”

The Times of India said the Indian Ministry of External affairs handed over a report, submitted by the state police to the UAE government on July 3 which said that Shiju was innocent in the lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) smuggling case and trapped by drug peddlers. The Kerala police had arrested four persons in the case registered by Shiju’s brother. One Saarang, who was supposed to receive the parcel from Shiju, had recently surrendered. The Indian Ambassador to the UAE, T.P. Seetharam, told Khaleej Times the embassy was informed about the case by the Chief Minister of Kerala, Oommen Chandy, and the Home Minister, Ramesh Chennithala.

“Norka had forwarded a petition by the mother (of Shiju). Former minister Shashi Tharoor also followed up with the local authorities here in his capacity as the Member of Parliament. All that helped,” the ambassador said.

“He was finally released at 3.30pm on Thursday. Now, he needs to get his passport back, which is likely to take a few weeks because of the Eid holidays and the procedures involved,” he added.

Shiju, who received a hero’s welcome at his accommodation, where he has spent just six months, said he wished to return home and see his mom soon after he gets his passport.

“I doubt if I will return to work here. I am very much scared now,” he said.— sajila@khaleejtimes.com