Detained at Dubai Airport: How It Can Happen and How to Stop It

Dubai is one of the world’s leading travel destinations, offering sun-soaked beaches, iconic skyscrapers, desert safaris, and high-end shopping. Over 16 million tourists flock to the United Arab Emirates’ glitzy commercial hub every year. However, some visitors fall victim to the city’s notoriously strict laws and face detention at Dubai Airport for minor or big offenses.

Why Dubai Airport Detentions Occur

Many envision Dubai and Abu Dhabi as a liberal oasis in the Gulf region. However, visitors may wonder, is Dubai safe for tourists? Under the UAE penal code and sharia law foundations, some activities considered harmless in other countries may constitute serious crimes here. Unaware visitors often run afoul of stern policies enforced by airport security and immigration officers upon arrival or departure.

Common reasons tourists and visitors get detained at Dubai’s airports include:

  • Banned Substances: Carrying prescription drugs, vaping equipment, CBD oil or other prohibited items. Even residual marijuana traces risk severe punishment.
  • Insulting Behavior: Making rude gestures, using profanity, showing intimacy in public or expressing anger to locals often triggers detention.
  • Immigration Offenses: Overstaying visas, passport validity issues, forged documents or discrepancies also lead to detention.
  • Smuggling: Attempting to sneak in banned narcotics, prescription meds, pornography, and other restricted goods draws stringent penalties.

These examples illustrate how swiftly a magical Dubai vacation or a business visit transforms into a distressing detention nightmare over seemingly innocuous actions.

Banned Medicines In Dubai

There are a number of medicines that are illegal in Dubai, and you will not be able to bring them into the country. These include:

  • Opium
  • Cannabis
  • Morphine
  • Codeine
  • Betamethodol
  • Fentanyl
  • Ketamine
  • Alpha-methylifentanyl
  • Methadone
  • Tramadol
  • Cathinone
  • Risperidone
  • Phenoperidine
  • Pentobarbital
  • Bromazepam
  • Trimeperidine
  • Codoxime
  • Oxycodone

The Harrowing Detainment Process When Arrested at Dubai Airports

Once apprehended by authorities at Dubai International Airport (DXB) or Al Maktoum (DWC) or Abu Dhabi Airport, travellers face a frightening ordeal including:

  • Interrogation: Immigration officers thoroughly question detainees to ascertain offenses and verify identities. They search baggage and electronic devices too
  • Document Confiscation: Officers seize passports and other travel certificates to prevent flight departure during investigations.
  • Restricted Communication: Phone, internet access and external contact gets limited to impede evidence tampering. Inform the embassy promptly though!

The entire detention duration depends on the case complexity. Minor issues like prescription meds might resolve quickly if officials certify legitimacy. More serious allegations prompt extensive interrogations potentially lasting weeks or months before prosecutors file charges

Why Legal Representation Proves Critical When Facing Dubai Airport Detention

Seeking expert legal counsel immediately after Dubai airport apprehension is essential since detained foreigners encounter language barriers, unfamiliar procedures and cultural misunderstandings.

Local lawyers intimately comprehend intricate legal technicalities and sharia foundations governing Dubai’s judicial environment. Proficient attorneys ensure detainees fully grasp the arrest situation while vigorously safeguarding their rights

They can significantly minimize court-imposed penalties or secure acquittals in bogus cases. Seasoned counsel supplies calm guidance through each case phase too. By achieving dramatically better outcomes, lawyers pay for themselves even though they are expensive.  

Furthermore, diplomats from detainees’ home countries provide invaluable assistance as well. They urgently address concerns like health conditions, lost passports or travel coordination.

Real-Life Examples Of People Being Arrested At The UAE Airport

a)     Woman Arrested for Facebook Post

Ms Laleh Sharaveshm, a 55-year old lady from London, was arrested at Dubai International Airport over an old Facebook post that she wrote before traveling to the country. The post about her ex-husband’s new wife was deemed derogatory towards Dubai and its people, and she was charged with cybercrime and insulting the UAE.

Together with her daughter, the single mother was denied the chance to leave the country before settling the case. The verdict, when found guilty, was to be a fine of £50,000 and up to two years of jail time.

b)    Man Arrested for Fake Passport

An Arab visitor was arrested at Dubai airport for using a fake passport. The 25-year old man was trying to board a Europe-bound flight when he was caught with the false document.

He confessed to purchasing the passport from an Asian friend for £3000, equivalent to AED 13,000. The penalties for using a fake passport in the UAE can range from 3 months to more than one year of imprisonment and a fine to deportation.

c)      A Woman’s Insults to the UAE Leads to Her Arrest

In another case of someone being arrested at Dubai airport, a woman was taken into custody for allegedly insulting the UAE. The 25-year old American national was said to have hurled verbal abuse at the UAE when waiting for a taxi at the Abu Dhabi Airport.

This kind of behaviour is considered to be deeply offensive to the Emirati people, and can result in a jail sentence or fine.

d)    Saleswoman Arrested at Dubai Airport for Drug Possession 

In a more serious case, a saleswoman was arrested at Dubai airport for being found with heroin in her luggage. The 27-year old woman, who was from Uzbek, was caught with 4.28 of heroin that she had hidden in her luggage. She was detained at the airport and then transferred to the anti-narcotics police.

Drug possession charges in the UAE can lead to a minimum of 4 years in jail and a fine and deportation from the country.

e)     Man Arrested at the Airport for Possessing Marijuana 

In another case, a man was arrested at Dubai airport and jailed for 10 years, with a fine of Dhs50,000 for trafficking marijuana in his possession. The African national was found with two packets of marijuana when the inspection officers noticed a thick-looking object in his bag while scanning his luggage. He claimed to have been sent to deliver the luggage in return for help finding a job in the UAE and paid travel expenses.

His case was transferred to the anti-narcotics department and he was later detained for drug trafficking.

f)      Woman Arrested for Carrying 5.7kg of Cocaine

After X-raying the luggage of a 36-year old woman, it was found that she was carrying 5.7 kg of cocaine in her possession. The Latin-American lady was arrested at Dubai Airport and had attempted to smuggle the drug inside of shampoo bottles.

These are just a few examples of people who have been arrested at the UAE airport for various reasons. It’s important to be aware of the consequences you may face if you break any of the country’s laws, even unknowingly. So always be respectful and mind your behavior when traveling to the UAE.

Detained In Dubai And Why You Need A Lawyer For It

Although not all legal battles need the assistance of a lawyer, for many situations where a legal dispute is involved, such as when you find yourself detained in UAE airport, it can get quite risky if you go for it all by yourself. 

Call us now for an urgent appointment at +971506531334 +971558018669

Practical Steps Travelers Must Take to Avoid Dubai Airport Detention Dangers

Although United Arab Emirates authorities continue modernizing practices to enhance Dubai’s glitzy vacation reputation. How can globe-trotting tourists prudently minimize detention risks?

  • Thoroughly research prohibited items lists before packing and verify visa/passport validity exceeds trip duration by several months.
  • Exude unwavering politeness, patience and cultural sensitivity when engaging locals or officials. Refrain from public intimacy displays too!
  • Carry essentials like chargers, toiletries and meds in hand luggage to handle potential confinement.
  • Secure comprehensive international travel insurance covering legal help and communication assistance when arrested abroad.
  • If apprehended, be truthful and fully cooperative with authorities to expedite processing without compromising rights!

The Agonizing Reality of Dubai Jail Time After Airport Arrests

For unlucky detainees accused of major contraventions like drug trafficking or fraud, agonizing months behind bars awaits before typically swift convictions. While Dubai’s authorities continue to improve prison conditions, considerable mental trauma still occurs to innocent prisoners.

Cramped facilities overflow with inmates from around the globe, creating volatile tensions. Strict security procedures govern heavily restricted daily routines. Food, guards, inmates and isolation take immense psychological tolls too.

High-profile cases like professional soccer legend Asamoah Gyan getting embroiled in assault allegations illustrate how quickly situations spiral out of control.

With penetration rates still fairly low, securing top-tier legal assistance immediately improves prospects for acquittals or deportations instead of harsh sentences. Reputable lawyers intimately understand suitable defence strategies for convincing judges during proceedings.

What you need to know about getting detained at Dubai Airport

Detention centres can result in immediate distressing experiences and potentially horrific jail terms, but they can also cause long-term damage.

Furthermore, lengthy time abroad strains personal relationships and jeopardizes jobs or academic progress.

Extensive counselling frequently helps detainees process traumatic memories haunting them for years. Many survivors share stories to create awareness too.

Match Your Lawyer With That Of Your Opponent

Since lawyers are necessary in court cases, you can expect that your opponent is working with a seasoned lawyer as well. Surely, you don’t want to engage in mediation with someone who knows the law well. The worst thing that can happen is if things go against you and you find yourself in the UAE Court without a lawyer and any legal knowledge. If this happens, you have very slim chances of winning the legal battle.

Call us now for an urgent appointment at +971506531334 +971558018669

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