Britishโ Law Student Faces 25 Years in Dubai Prison Over cocaine Possession
DUBAI, UAE – Mia O’Brien, a 21-year-oldโฃ law student from Huyton, โMerseyside, is facing up to 25 years in prison after being arrested and convicted of possessing a “single line of โcocaine” in Dubai.โ The case has โขsparked outrage and concern for the young woman’s future, highlighting the severe penalties for even minor drug โoffenses inโ the United Arabโค Emirates.
O’Brien, who was studying law at Liverpool University with aspirations of becoming a lawyer or solicitor, was initially held at the Al Barsha detention center before being transferred to Al Awir jail. Her โขmother, Danielleโค McKenna, describes the conditions as “vile,” with cells lacking light and unsanitary toilet facilities. The conviction has shattered O’Brien’sโฃ dreams,leaving her feeling her life has been “destroyed,” according to her mother.
The incident occurred during a visit to Dubai โคto see a friend andโ her boyfriend. McKenna insists her โฃdaughter is not a drug user andโ has no prior โcriminal record, believing the possession was unintentional and not to sale or personal use. “Mia feels she โฃhas destroyedโ her life as she โwanted to be a lawyer or solicitor,” McKenna told the Mail Online. “I speak to her but she can’t say tooโฃ much on the phone. She’s justโ made a stupid mistake after going over to see a friend andโฃ herโฃ boyfriend in Dubai.”
Dubaiโข maintains a zero-tolerance policy โขtowards drugs, with penalties ranging from lengthy โคprison โsentences to theโ death penalty, even for possession of small amounts.British nationals are frequentlyโ caughtโค upโ in theโ UAE’s strict drug laws, often facing disproportionately harsh sentences compared to those in their home country. โข The case raises questions about the risks faced by tourists and expatriates in the UAE and theโฃ challenges of navigating its legal system. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched by family to supportโข legal efforts.