London DJ detained for drug and porn offences

Dubai: A popular London DJ was arrested at Dubai airport for possessing marijuana and pornographic DVDs, his promoter said on Sunday.

DJ Grooverider, whose real name is Raymond Bingham, was detained on November 23 the day he was to perform at a club in Dubai. A British embassy official said it was aware of a case against the suspect. "We are offering consular assistance," said Simon Goldsmith, second secretary, political and media affairs.

The company which brought Grooverider to Dubai said it was furious over the incident as the DJ as well as his management company was informed about the rules that needed to be followed in the UAE.

"We are looking to get a full refund from the DJ's management company in London. We have lost Â£4,000 (Dh 30,000)," said Ram Nath, from Dexar Music the event promoter.

Nath said he went to receive Grooverider at the airport.

"We got him here after the huge success of an event which we did with DJ Fabio earlier."

Fabio is a DJ partner of Grooverider.

Nath said he went to meet Grooverider at the airport and waited outside the airport well past the time the flight had landed.

"He was to play at midnight. I was getting worried when he failed to show up."

"At around 12.15am, his management company in London informed me that Grooverider has been detained by police for possessing weed and porn," he added.

We're looking to get a full refund from the DJ's management company in London. We have lost £4,000 (Dh 30,000)."

Event promoter

The company which brought Grooverider to Dubai said it was furious as the DJ had been informed about the rules that needed to be followed in the UAE.

Profile: Drum and bass ace