Drug Abuse Penalties and Trafficking Offenses in the UAE
UAE Drug Laws: Punishment & Penalties for Drug Trafficking
Drug abuse is one of the most significant issues confronting today’s society. It has become a global problem, with almost every country dealing with its negative consequences. The vice has been detrimental to individuals and society, especially the youth. It is also a threat to the family setup, with many family breakdowns attributable to drug misuse.
Unfortunately, the drug use problem has proved hard to eradicate for many countries as it is connected to organized crimes, including drug trafficking and money laundering. Essentially, drug abuse has become such a dreadful epidemic that it is a threat to many countries’ national safety and security. Like other countries, the United Arab Emirates has also had its fair share of drug abuse and trafficking problems.
The threat of drug abuse and trafficking in the UAE has been compounded by the country’s unique geographical location and attractiveness as a business hub and an immigrant and tourist destination. Generally, as home to people from diverse nationalities, UAE cannot divorce itself from the global drug abuse problem. Additionally, criminal elements have taken advantage of the UAE’s open policies on international trade to smuggle drugs across its borders. Find out which drugs are illegal in the UAE, the severe penalties and punishments for drug use and possession, trafficking, production and distribution.
UAE’s Drug Abuse and Trafficking Laws
The UAE has a zero-tolerance policy for drug abuse and trafficking. UAE’s Federal Law No. 14 of 1995 (Narcotic and Psychotropic Law) imposes severe penalties on anyone found guilty of importing, exporting, transporting, consuming, possessing, or storing narcotic drugs and other prohibited substances.
The federal law categorizes drugs into two groups, including;
- Narcotic drugs, including cannabis or marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methadone, opium, and nicomorphine
- Psychotropic substances, including aminorex, butalbital, ethinamate, and barbital
While penalties for drug abuse include specific jail sentences and fines depending on the type of drug, the United Arab Emirates has amended its laws to establish an Addiction Treatment Unit. The Unit is like a rehabilitation center where the government offers to assist accused drug addicts on their recovery journey and social reintegration. However, referral and admission to the Unit are voluntary.
Punishment For Drug Trafficking in The UAE
Unlike drug abuse offenders, individuals found guilty of drug trafficking in UAE, including importing and exporting narcotics, face much harsher penalties. Some of the penalties for trafficking and promoting illegal drugs in the UAE include:
- a jail sentence of between ten and fifteen years and a fine of not less than Dh20,000 for anyone found guilty of managing or establishing a place for the abuse of any narcotic or psychotropic substances as defined under Schedules 1, 2, 4, and 5 of the Narcotic and Psychotropic Law
- imprisonment of between seven and ten years and a fine of not less than Dh20,000 for anyone found guilty of managing or establishing a place for the abuse of any narcotic or psychotropic substances as defined under Schedules 3, 6, 7, and 8 of the Narcotic and Psychotropic Law
- a jail sentence of between ten and fifteen years and a fine of not less than Dh50,000 for anyone guilty of drug trafficking or promotion
- an imprisonment period of between seven and ten years for anyone guilty of introducing, importing, exporting, manufacturing, extracting, or producing any of the narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances listed in Schedules 3, 6, 7, and 8 of the Narcotic and Psychotropic Law
- If an individual is found guilty of committing any of the above offenses with the goal of trafficking or promotion, he shall be subject to life imprisonment and a fine of between Dh50,000 and Dh200,000
Besides these penalties, the UAE also imposes severe penalties on cyber or online activities that promote drug abuse or trafficking, including managing a website meant to promote drug abuse or trafficking. Guilty parties face temporary imprisonment as provided in UAE’s cyber laws, a fine of between Dh500,000 and Dh1 million or both penalties.
Additionally, UAE is among a small group of countries where a drug abuse or trafficking offense potentially attract a death sentence. Visitors, including tourists and expatriate workers, face permanent deportation in addition to the existing strict penalties for drug abuse and trafficking offenses. However, UAE allows the possession of prescribed drugs for individuals visiting the country.
UAE imposing severe penalties
Drug abuse and trafficking is a huge global problem, with many countries, including the UAE imposing severe penalties for drug abuse and trafficking offenses. With UAE’s expanding foreign population, drug abuse and trafficking have proven to be a big challenge despite the countries zero-tolerance laws. Besides the sometimes controversial strict penalties, UAE has also taken other steps to combat the drug abuse problem, including establishing the rehabilitation-like Addiction Treatment Unit. However, there are still areas of improvement, including reviewing guidelines on which type of drugs should be allowed into the country.
Expert Drugs Lawyer in Dubai
Are you facing Drug Abuse Penalties and Trafficking Offenses in the UAE? It is a federal crime to import, export, possess, produce, or deal with illegal drugs in the UAE. The UAE has a zero-tolerance policy towards drug trafficking. Drug trafficking crimes can result in imprisonment, heavy fines and deportation.Â
Lawyers UAE provides legal advice, assistance, and representation on Drug Abuse Penalties and Trafficking Offenses in the UAE. Our attorneys are experts in UAE Drug Laws and have extensive experience in handling drug abuse and trafficking cases. Contact us today for a consultation!
Call us now for an appointment and consultation with our specialized Drugs and Criminal Lawyers at +971506531334 +971558018669
