A British tourist caught trying to smuggle cocaine, hashish and hundreds of vaping devices filled with cannabidiol into the UAE has lost an appeal against her 10-year jail term.
The 31-year-old was arrested after customs officers discovered the haul of illegal substances in her possession upon her arrival at Dubai International Airport last April.
She was found to be carrying a plastic box containing 1.4kg of cocaine and another 6.3g of hashish.
Officials also seized 307 vape pods containing cannabidiol – widely referred to as CBD – a component of marijuana illegal in the UAE.
Her arrest came after Dubai's police and customs officers revealed 97 people were arrested in the first three months of last year – up from just two in the year previous – for smoking CBD through vaping devices.
Brig Eid Thani Hareb said at the time that CBD is illegal in the Emirates and is treated the same as cannabis, marijuana and other drugs.
The minimum sentence for possession is two years, but the penalties for smuggling larger quantities are often 10 years or more.
Last September, the UK Foreign Office reminded travellers they would face prosecution if they brought CBD into the Emirates.
The British woman was convicted of drug smuggling charges at Dubai Criminal Court in July.
Defence lawyer Saeed Matar argued she was unaware that CBD was outlawed in the UAE and had made no attempt to hide it.
“She did not even know they were filled with CBD oil or else she would have tried to hide them more professionally,” the lawyer said.
The sentence was upheld by Dubai Court of Appeal.
She will deported after serving her jail term and must also pay a Dh50,000 fine.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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The Outsider
Stephen King, Penguin
Read more about the coronavirus
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Scores
Day 2
New Zealand 153 & 56-1
Pakistan 227
New Zealand trail by 18 runs with nine wickets remaining
more from Janine di Giovanni
Virtuzone GCC Sixes
Date and venue Friday and Saturday, ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City
Time Matches start at 9am
Groups
A Blighty Ducks, Darjeeling Colts, Darjeeling Social, Dubai Wombats; B Darjeeling Veterans, Kuwait Casuals, Loose Cannons, Savannah Lions; C Awali Taverners, Darjeeling, Dromedary, Darjeeling Good Eggs
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
The years Ramadan fell in May
