Customs police have seized a stash of cannabis from a plane passenger in Dubai after finding nearly 400 rolls of the drug hidden inside hollowed-out pineapples.

Officers became suspicious after noticing a box of the fruit coming from an African country and stopped the passenger for an inspection, said officials.

Newsflash obtained a statement from Dubai Customs dated 19th November and saying (in English): “Dubai Customs made a bizarre seizure at Dubai International Airport, Terminal 1 when a passenger coming from an African country was arrested for smuggling marijuana, where he hid them skillfully inside pineapples fruits.”

The statement went on: “Khalid Ahmed, (Acting) Director of Passenger Operations Department said this type of seizure reflects the efficiency of the advanced systems in place as well as our inspectors’ remarkable experience, which prevent all legal attempts to smuggle narcotics into the country.”

Ahmed explained: “Protecting our society from the dangers of drugs is at the forefront of our inspectors’ priorities, being the first line of defense for the security of our borders and ports.”

The statement said the passenger looked confused when asked if they were carrying anything illegal, claiming he was innocent.

The statement said: “The inspectors suspected the cardboard box carrying pineapple fruit, which was on a flight coming from an African country famous for cultivating this type of fruit.

“They tracked the box and at the inspection area, they asked the passenger, who looked confused, about carrying any prohibited materials, but he replied in the negative.”

Officials explained: “The box was scanned to reveal pineapples with black plastic bags inside them that contained 399 marijuana weed rolls that weighed 417.30 grams.”

The statement added: “Later, the passenger was searched manually and scanned for body packing but nothing more was found.

“Accordingly, he was handed over to the General Department of Anti Narcotic in Dubai Police.”