A 23-year-old law student, Mia O’Brien, is facing a 25-year prison sentence in Dubai’s notorious Al-Awir Central Prison for allegedly being caught with 50g of Class A drugs last October. Despite pleading not guilty, Mia was convicted in July and fined £100,000, which remains unpaid. Her devastated mother, Danielle, criticized the trial proceedings as a “miscarriage of justice” conducted entirely in Arabic.
In the United Kingdom, Mia would likely have received a much shorter sentence based on sentencing guidelines. However, in Dubai, which has a zero-tolerance policy towards drugs, even minute amounts can lead to prosecution. The country’s strict laws, governed by Shariah Law, impose severe penalties for drug-related offenses, with the potential for decades in prison.
The United Arab Emirates’ stringent anti-drug laws were exemplified in previous cases, such as a British holidaymaker sentenced to four years for a speck of cannabis and an Indian man jailed for possessing poppy seeds. Possession of illegal drugs, no matter how small the quantity, can result in prosecution in Dubai.
Visitors to Dubai are explicitly warned by the UK Foreign Office against breaking the country’s laws, especially regarding drug offenses. The FCDO emphasizes zero tolerance for drug-related activities, with severe penalties including imprisonment or hefty fines, and even the death penalty for trafficking. Possession of any illegal substances, including cannabis, can lead to imprisonment or fines, and the presence of drugs in the bloodstream is considered possession.
The UAE’s strict enforcement is supported by advanced technology at airports to detect illegal items, including drugs. Transiting passengers are subject to baggage scans, and carrying any amount of drugs, even residual, can lead to arrest. The country’s laws emphasize the severe consequences of drug-related offenses, highlighting the importance of compliance to avoid legal ramifications.