What is the offence of providing a place?
Article 53 of the Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021 (Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances) punishes whoever manages, prepares or provides a place for the consumption of the controlled substances in specified schedules with imprisonment of not less than ten years and a fine of not less than AED 100,000.
The same applies to places for the use of the other listed substances and any substance covered by Article 12's second paragraph. In the case of repetition of any of those crimes, the penalty is life imprisonment and a fine of not less than AED 100,000.
What if I was only found in such a place?
Article 54 punishes whoever is arrested in such a place with knowledge of it with imprisonment of six months to one year and a fine of AED 10,000 to AED 20,000.
The article does not apply to the spouse, ascendants or descendants of the person who manages, prepares or provides the place.
What are the key issues?
Knowledge and control. The prosecution must show that you managed, prepared or provided the place, or that you were there knowing what it was.
A tenant, host, landlord or guest has a different position, and the defence turns on who controlled the premises.
Are there related offences?
Article 55 punishes manufacturing, importing, selling or possessing with intent to promote goods or publications that invite or entitle the commission of drug crimes with a fine of not less than AED 50,000, and wearing or using such goods with a fine, with imprisonment of up to two years on repetition.
Article 61 punishes assaulting or resisting officials implementing the law with imprisonment of not less than five years and a fine of not less than AED 100,000.
What should I do first?
Do not resist officers
Article 61 is severe.
Say who rented and controlled the place
Keep the tenancy.
Do not admit knowledge of use
Wait for advice.
Call us immediately
Early statements are crucial.
Call us on +971 50 653 1334 or message us on WhatsApp. We answer at any hour.
Frequently asked questions
What is the penalty for providing a place?
Imprisonment of not less than ten years and a fine of not less than AED 100,000 (Article 53).
What if I was only a visitor?
Article 54 requires that you were arrested there with knowledge of the place's use. The penalty is six months to one year and AED 10,000 to AED 20,000.
Is a family member excluded?
The spouse, ascendants or descendants of the person who runs the place are excluded from Article 54.
What if it happens again?
Life imprisonment and a fine of not less than AED 100,000 (Article 53).
Related guides
Drug Offences overview
The main points, the process and your first steps.
Read the overviewTrafficking and Supply
How UAE law treats importing, producing, possessing and supplying controlled substances, and why quantity and intent shape the whole case.
Read the guideDrug Possession
How the narcotics law distinguishes possession for personal use from possession for others, and the defence of lack of knowledge.
Read the guideSources
Source: Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021 (Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances), official English text on the UAE Legislation portal, checked 9 October 2026. The portal lists the law as active and last updated on 1 October 2025. The Arabic text prevails over translations.
This page is general information, not legal advice.