5 drug dealers stand trial for trafficking paan, naswar in UAE

Five Asian drug dealers have stood trial at the Ras Al Khaimah criminal court for being involved in trafficking banned paan and naswar narcotics. 
"Large amounts of narcotic paan and naswar (varieties of illegal chewing tobacco) have been seized during the raids that are conducted on a regular basis and launched in collaboration with the RAK Municipality," said police sources. 
The first defendant admitted to his crime during police interrogation and prosecution's investigation. He later told the RAK criminal court that he did sell paan and naswar mainly among the Asian communities and schools. The second suspect denied the charges, claiming that he was just "sitting with other defendants" when they were caught by the police.
Public prosecution had charged the other three defendants for providing hideouts for the first two drug dealers and failing to inform the authorities about their activities.
The case was moved to the RAK criminal court, which ordered the assignment of a lawyer to defend the suspects, as the jury adjourned the case to a session next month.
The law enforcement bodies here have repetitively warned against the abuse of illegal chewing tobacco. Dr Mohammed Hamed, a pharmacist, told Khaleej Times "paan and naswar are very harmful and are the main reasons behind gum cancer".
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com