DUBAI // A man accused of using marijuana told Dubai Criminal Court that he thought he was smoking herbs to treat an allergy.
Iranian S H, 22, was arrested on December 30 following a tip-off to Dubai Police’s anti-narcotics department.
He was charged with possessing 0.6 grammes of marijuana and with smoking marijuana, both of which he denied, claiming that his mother had given him what he thought was herbs to treat his allergy.
Emirati police officer A A, 22, said they were told the defendant was in Abu Hail, near Al Mamzar centre, taking drugs.
“After obtaining an arrest warrant the following day, we apprehended him at night near a restaurant. He was in a taxi and we found a bag in his possession which contained marijuana,” said the officer.
He added that devices used to smoke the drug were found on him as well.
“He confessed to me that he smokes marijuana and that he gets it from Iran, where his mother buys it for him,” said A A, who added that the defendant told him that his mother and the mother of a friend of his often smoked marijuana in Iran.
The defendant’s urine test came back positive for the drug.
The next hearing will be on April 4.
salamir@thenational.ae