Man acquitted of ‘dropping marijuana in Dubai metro station’

DUBAI // A man who allegedly dropped marijuana in front of a police officer after being told pull up his low-hanging trousers, has been found not guilty of possessing drugs by the Dubai Criminal Court.

Prosecutors said on July 20 last year Indian M A, 23, was walking through a metro station in Naif when his sagging trousers attracted the attention of a police officer.

“Several people were looking at him, as his trousers were so low that his underwear was showing,” said officer S A. “It was not a decent scene during the holy month of Ramadan.”

The officer stopped M A and requested to see identification. M A showed him a copy of his passport and visit visa. S A then told him to go to a nearby bathroom and pull his trousers up. A few minutes later, the officer saw M A again with his trousers still hanging low.

“I stopped him again and asked for his Emirates ID, he said he didn’t have one and opened his wallet when a folded piece of paper fell to the ground,” said S A.

“As it unfolded, his eyes widened and I saw a herbal substance, which turned out to be marijuana.”

Prosecutors said during questioning, M A admitted possessing marijuana, telling officers he used because “it made him feel calm and took away the burdens of his problems”.

In court last October, M A denied possessing 0.14 grams of marijuana for personal use. The court acquitted him of the charge.