A Pakistani national has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for importing heroin with a street value of more than R2 million into Seychelles.

The Supreme Court imposed the sentence after convicting 53-year-old Tariq Mehmood, who was arrested on suspicion on June 30, 2009 when he arrived at the Seychelles International Airport.

Mehmood arrived on an Emirates flight from Dubai, having travelled from Pakistan. A medical examination showed he had swallowed more than 40 heroin capsules, which were recovered. He was then charged with importing the drug and remanded in custody.

His trial ended in the Supreme Court on February 10. The National Drugs Enforcement Agency (NDEA) said it was clear from the method of importation that the ultimate destination of the heroin was Seychelles.

This method, which is extremely difficult to detect, is very dangerous to the carrier. Despite this, it has been favoured by drug traffickers coming from Pakistan, Kenya and South Africa.

In another development this week in the Supreme Court, a 24-year-old single unemployed man was sentenced to five years in prison for possessing heroin.

Che Dorasamy, from Mont Fleuri, was arrested by the NDEA on August 26, 2009 and charged with trafficking. The charge was later reduced to possession, and the trial ended on February 9.