Drug Offences in Dubai and the UAE

What counts as a drug offence in the UAE?

A drug offence is any act involving a controlled substance that Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021 prohibits: using it, possessing or acquiring it, bringing it in or out of the UAE, producing or manufacturing it, or trafficking in it.

The law came into force on 2 January 2022 and has been amended since. Articles 10 and 11 prohibit importing, exporting, transferring, producing, manufacturing, bringing in, possessing or acquiring the controlled substances listed in its schedules, except in authorised cases. Article 12 prohibits addiction to, or personal use of, those substances except for treatment under a prescription from the treating physician. Some medicines that are lawful in other countries are controlled in the UAE, so an allegation can arise from ordinary medication.

What are the main types of drug offence?

The law separates personal use from dealing, and the penalties rise sharply from one to the other.

• Personal use. Articles 41 to 44. See our personal use guide.
• Possession, import, export, production and similar acts. Articles 10, 11 and 14, punished under Articles 57 and 58 by reference to Schedule 10.
• Trafficking or promotion. The aggravated penalties in Articles 57 and 58. See our trafficking and supply guide.
• Misuse by an authorised person. Article 59, for someone licensed to possess a substance who breaches the purpose of the licence.
• Entering the UAE with a substance for personal use. Article 42 bis, for people who are neither citizens nor legal residents.

What does the prosecution have to show?

In general terms, the prosecution relies on evidence of what the substance is, how it is connected to the accused, and what the accused knew and intended. Which of these must be proved depends on the offence charged.

Intent is central because the law treats personal use and trafficking very differently. Where the substance was found, who had access to it, how it was seized and sampled, and what the accused said when questioned are each points a defence lawyer will examine.

What happens after a summons or an arrest?

The case moves from the police to the public prosecution, then, if it is referred, to the criminal court.

At the police stage you may be questioned and a substance may be tested. The prosecution then reviews the file and decides whether to keep you in detention, release you on bail or refer the case to court. If you do not understand the language used, ask for an interpreter before you answer or sign.

What are the penalties?

They depend on the offence. For personal use, Article 41 sets a first-offence penalty of imprisonment of no less than three months or a fine of AED 20,000 to AED 100,000. For importing, possessing or producing, the penalty is set by substance and quantity in Schedule 10, and for trafficking or promotion the law provides the death penalty or life imprisonment.

• Personal use, repeat offences (Article 41). A second offence within three years: no less than six months or a fine of AED 30,000 to AED 100,000. A third offence or more: no less than two years and a fine of no less than AED 100,000.
• Cannabis personal use (Article 42). First offence: no less than three months or a fine of AED 10,000 to AED 100,000, with higher minimums for repeat offences.
• Entering with a substance for personal use (Article 42 bis). For people who are neither citizens nor legal residents: a fine of AED 5,000 to AED 1,000,000.
• Possession, import, production and similar (Articles 57 and 58). Penalties under Schedule 10, rising with quantity.
• With intent to traffic or promote, or for a gang (Articles 57 and 58). Death under Article 57. Death or life imprisonment under Article 58.
• Authorised persons who breach the purpose (Article 59). No less than five years and a fine of no less than AED 100,000.
• Treatment instead of a sentence (Article 45). Possible for personal use offences where the person has not reoffended.

The figures above for imprisonment are statutory minimums. The maximum penalty is not the usual sentence, and the court decides within the range the law allows.

Will a foreigner be deported?

Under Article 75 the court shall order the deportation of a foreigner convicted of any crime stipulated in the law, unless one of two exceptions applies.

The exceptions are for a person who was the spouse or a first-degree blood relative of a UAE national when the crime was committed, and for certain family cases where deportation would seriously harm the family and the family can provide treatment. Read our deportation guide for the detail.

What defences might be available?

The defences that arise most often turn on authorisation, knowledge and how the evidence was obtained. None guarantees an acquittal, and each depends on the facts.

• Lawful authorisation. A valid prescription or other authorisation, covering what was actually taken or held.
• No knowledge or control. The accused did not know the substance was there or had no real control over it.
• Search and seizure. Defects in how the search, arrest or seizure was carried out.
• Testing and custody. Reliability of laboratory testing and the chain of custody.
• Characterisation. That the facts show personal use rather than supply.
• Statements. How and in what circumstances a statement was taken, including interpretation.

What do cases look like in practice?

These are illustrative scenarios, not real cases or client stories.

A traveller arrives with prescribed medication. A visitor carries a medicine prescribed abroad. In their home country it is routine. In the UAE it may be a controlled substance. Whether an offence arises can depend on what the medicine is, whether it was authorised and what the prescription covers.

A substance is found in a shared car. Several people are travelling together and a substance is found in the vehicle. The prosecution has to connect it to a particular person. Who had access, and what each person knew, then become the central questions.

What should I do right now?

1. Do not give or sign a statement without advice

   Ask to speak to a lawyer. Ask for an interpreter if you need one.

2. Call a criminal defence lawyer

   We answer 24/7 on +971 50 653 1334 or WhatsApp.

3. Keep your documents together

   Passport, residence visa, any summons or case number, and any prescription or medical records.

4. Do not leave or return without checking

   Ask us to check whether a travel ban or warrant exists.

Detailed guides on drug offences

Drug offences: frequently asked questions

Sources

Source: 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. See also the Criminal Law overview, our services by stage of case and our Team.