KEY POINTS:
A New Zealand musician has been detained for the last week at Dubai International Airport on drugs charges, according to the Gulf News.
The paper describes the man as a 48 year-old New Zealander and identifies him as "B.A."
His lawyer Nasser Hashim told the paper that about 25 grams of marijuana was found after the Kiwi was searched.
"My client was travelling from Ethiopia to New Zealand, via Dubai in transit, when the customs inspector detained him after finding the marijuana in his pockets. He hasn't been referred to the Public Prosecution yet," Mr Hashim told the Gulf News.
B.A. is reported to be a father of 13 children and has asked Mr Hashim for a "pardon and deportation".
The letter, a copy of which was obtained by Gulf News, said the New Zealander is a renowned musician who dedicated his life to nurturing underprivileged children and families through the art of music and musical expression.
"As a birthday gift, his children and family paid for him to go to Ethiopia for the African Millennium... during the search Dubai Customs had scraped approximately 0.7 grammes of marijuana from the seam pockets of two pants and a raincoat," read the letter.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokeswoman Helen Tunnah said the ministry is aware of the case and keeping in touch.
She said the man had legal representation and is being helped through that channel rather than the ministry.
Ms Tunnah said the ministry would not release any details of the man.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
