Drug Trafficking Laws in DubaiPosted by Dr. Hassan Elhais on May 23rd, 2021 The United Arab Emirates has a no –tolerance policy when it comes to drug trafficking. The Federal Law no. 14 of 1995 on ‘the control of narcotics and psychotropic substances and its amendments commonly referred to as the ‘Drug law’ criminalizes the production, import, export, transport, buying, selling, storing and possessing of narcotic and psychotropic substances in the UAE. Pursuant to Article 39 of the UAE drug law, ‘Whoever abuses in any manner, possesses with the intention of abuse or personally uses in the circumstances other than those authorized any narcotic or psychotropic substances set forth in schedules 1, 2, 4 and 5 enclosed herewith shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period of two years at least. ‘The court may, in addition to the said penalty, impose a fine amounting to ten thousand Dirhams at least. When the narcotic or psychotropic substances are classified under schedule 3 ,6, 7 or 8 of the UAE drugs laws then pursuant to Article 40 , the punishment could include imprisonment of 6 months to two years along with the fine of up to 10,000 dirhams. Article 40(1) of the UAE drugs law state that, ‘Whoever abuses in any manner, possesses with the intention of abuse or personally uses in circumstances other than those authorized any narcotic or psychotropic substance provided for in schedules 3, 6, 7 and 8 enclosed herewith shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period of six months at least and two years at most. The court may, in addition to the said penalty, impose a fine amounting to ten thousand Dirhams at least’. When the offender is a foreigner, then additional deportation will also apply once the sentence is served. This is pursuant to article 63 of the said law, which states, ‘In addition to the sanctions set forth herein, the foreigner convicted in any of the crimes set forth herein shall be deported by virtue of a court order.’
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Article by: Dr. Hassan Elhais, a legal consultant in Dubai, specializing in the drafting of all statements of claim, memos, and consultation on litigation of all manner.
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