UAE | General

Travellers must respect law of the land concerning illegal drugs

The Ministry of Interior has reiterated the country's zero tolerance policy on drug trafficking.

  • By Kevin Scott and Rayeesa AbsalStaff Reporters
  • Published: 00:03 June 12, 2008
  • Gulf News

Dubai/Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Interior has reiterated the country's zero tolerance policy on drug trafficking.

A senior official at the ministry told Gulf News yesterday no person was being detained in the UAE unlawfully and that travellers must respect the law of the land.

The official said: "If we do not deal strictly with people bringing drugs into the country, and if we allow small quantities of drugs to be brought in, then bigger problems will arise. If we tolerate small quantities we might end up accumulating these illegal drugs.

"Every country has its own rules and regulations. This is the case in any country, not just in the UAE. The methods of law enforcement in the UAE are not much different from that followed in most developed nations. For example, if you travel to the United States you will discover there are certain kinds of medications that are illegal there."

Banned substances

The clarification follows a warning from Prisoners Abroad (PA), a UK-registered charity that supports British citizens imprisoned overseas. Earlier this week it named the UAE as one of the world's most risky countries for unwary travellers.

Pauline Crowe, PA's Chief Executive, told Gulf News the organisation recommends travellers take extensive precautions before travelling to the UAE.

She said: "Doing your research to understand the laws and culture of the UAE is essential in order to respect them and to ensure you don't contravene any of the legal or social norms.

"If travellers have been in contact with drugs - through medical or social use - they should consider carefully the risk to their liberty posed by travelling to the UAE."

PA, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this month, classified the UAE a "high risk country" primarily because of its long list of banned substances, which includes numerous medications that are commonly available in other parts of the world. Possession of codeine, prevalent in Nurofen and numerous cough syrups, and anti-depressants can lead to arrest if the medications are not accompanied by a written prescription from a physician.

Simon Goldsmith, a spokesman at the British Embassy in Dubai, said all travellers must be aware of the consequences of bringing drugs into the UAE.

"We strongly welcome the flow of visitors between the UK and the UAE. This exchange of people is in all our interests and is one of the keystones of the relationship between the two countries.

"Our travel advice is explicit and has long advised that the penalties for drugs offences in the UAE are severe," he said.

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