Dubai: A Ukrainian model has been jailed for possessing a minuscule amount of hashish weighing 0.05 grams for her personal use.
The Dubai Court of First Instance sentenced the 21-year-old model, identified as Y.K., to one year in jail after she was found guilty of possessing the drug for personal use.
Presiding Judge Al Saeed Mohammad Barghout said Y.K. would be deported after serving her jail term. The accused was given a lenient sentence because of her young age.
Admitted
"I am not guilty. I didn't posses any drug," contended Y.K. when she appeared before the court and defended herself.
An Emirati policewoman testified that the model was detained in the parking lot of Dubai Mall.
"An informant alerted the Dubai Police's Anti-Narcotics Department that Y.K. was using drugs. My supervisors assigned me to detain the defendant in the parking lot. Upon searching her, we found no drugs in her possession. We took her to Bur Dubai Police Station for questioning where she admitted to having a small piece of hashish in her wallet. She claimed she possessed it for her personal use," the policewoman said when questioned by prosecutors.
An Emirati first lieutenant testified that an informant alerted the department about the defendant's presence at Dubai Mall.
"We detained the suspect as soon as we spotted her walking to her car," he claimed.
The model was quoted admitting during questioning by the prosecution that the hashish was for personal consumption. Prosecution records, however, said that the seized amount was insufficient for personal consumption.
Her lawyer told the court that his client did not posses any drugs and asked the court to acquit her. The primary verdict is still subject to appeal within 15 days.
