British expatriates were sentenced to four years for importing hallucinogenic drugs and marijuana

DUBAI // Two British expatriates who were sentenced to four years in jail after being found guilty of importing hallucinogenic drugs and marijuana have been freed by the Dubai Court of Appeal.

In September last year at the Dubai Criminal Court M R, 24, denied importing 7.43 grams of hallucinogens while A S, 33, denied importing 4.94g of marijuana. However, both were convicted in December.

Prosecutors said the men arranged for the banned substances to be delivered to a company where they worked.

“We received a tip off about them after which we visited their workplace, but they were not present,” said Emirati policeman K A, 24.

On May 25 last year, police checked mail delivered in the men’s names before contacting them to collect the packages.

“They did not come but instead sent a man on their behalf. We questioned him and he did not know anything about the contents of the packages. Then, with his help, we arrested the duo,” K A said, adding that the pair denied knowing the packages contained banned substances and also denied sending someone to pick them up.

On Tuesday, the appeal court found them not guilty of all charges and also overturned a deportation order.