Man who drove car into sea acquitted of drugs charges by Abu Dhabi court

A man who fell asleep and drove his car into the sea was cleared of drugs consumption charges by the appeals court on Tuesday.

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ABU DHABI // A man who fell asleep and drove his car into the sea was cleared of drugs consumption charges by the appeals court on Tuesday.

S S, an Emirati in his 20s who works for the armed forces, had just left hospital after being given a dose of medication.

He stopped his car in a no-parking zone near the Sea Palace on the Eastern Ring Road. He promptly fell asleep and his car rolled into the water.

When police arrived and arrested him, he was given a urine test that showed he had taken drugs.

He was charged with consuming hashish and driving under the influence of drugs at the criminal court.

The criminal court found him guilty and sentenced him to four years in jail plus a Dh20,000 fine.

The appeals court however cleared him because there was in error in procedures in taking his urine sample by the police.

hdajani@thenational.ae