DUBAI : Authorities classified the amount as possession with intent to traffic rather than for personal use, according to Emarat Al Youm.

Abdullah Saleh Al Raisi, Senior Prosecutor at Dubai’s Narcotics Prosecution, said the defendant had no prior criminal record. “He was an outstanding student and employee and had recently married. He made one wrong decision that changed his life completely,” Al Raisi noted.

The man was stopped upon arrival at Dubai airport, where customs officials discovered the drugs in his luggage. Due to the quantity, prosecutors charged him with possession for promotion or trafficking, an offense carrying a significantly heavier penalty under UAE law.

Al Raisi explained that UAE legislation draws a clear line between possession for personal use and possession for trafficking, with judgments depending on both the amount and the surrounding circumstances. In this case, the court ruled the amount surpassed the threshold for personal consumption.

Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021 allows for treatment and rehabilitation of first-time drug users but enforces strict penalties for importation or trafficking. “The law gives a second chance to those who use drugs, but it draws no leniency for those who attempt to bring them into the country,” Al Raisi stressed during a “Legal Chats” session hosted by Dubai Public Prosecution.

The prosecutor also highlighted how drug trafficking methods are evolving, pointing to the rise of online sales and cross-border operations.

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