A 23-year-old British student has been sentenced to life in prison in Dubai after being convicted in a drug-related case, her family has revealed. Mia, whose last name has not been widely publicized, received the sentence following an incident her family describes as a “very stupid mistake.”
The case underscores the severe penalties for drug offenses in the United Arab Emirates, where even trace amounts of drugs in the bloodstream can be considered possession, leading to harsh punishments including lengthy prison sentences and, in some cases, the death penalty. A GoFundMe campaign launched by Mia’s mother to raise funds for legal fees and potential travel to visit her daughter has since been closed.According to her family, Mia has been handed a life sentence. Before the GoFundMe was taken down, her mother stated the funds would be used to support Mia directly, cover legal expenses, and potentially enable family members to travel to Dubai to see her, as thay haven’t seen her since October.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office explicitly warns British citizens about the risks associated with drug-related offenses in the UAE. Authorities there consider the presence of drugs in the bloodstream equivalent to possession, nonetheless of quantity.Penalties for trafficking, smuggling, use, and possession of illegal drugs – even residual amounts – are exceptionally severe. Drug trafficking convictions can result in the death penalty.
