Men convicted of possessing marijuana win reduced prison term on appeal

The criminal court convicted the Sri Lankans, aged 33 and 30, of possessing 1.5 grammes of marijuana and taking drugs.

DUBAI // Two men sentenced to five years in jail each for possessing and using marijuana had their prison terms reduced by the Dubai Court of Appeal.

The criminal court convicted the Sri Lankans, aged 33 and 30, of possessing 1.5 grams of marijuana and taking drugs. The men were each sentenced to five years in jail.

They appealed and had their jail time cut to two years.

In September last year the men were arrested after a tip-off to officers at Jebel Ali police station. As anti-narcotics officers tried to arrest one of the men, he was spotted throwing something away.

“We picked up the object he threw away and it turned out to be marijuana,” said a police captain, adding that during questioning the men told police about their supplier, a 29-year-old Sri Lankan, who was arrested shortly after. He was charged with possessing drugs, facilitating consumption to others and with using drugs.

The third defendant was sentenced to five years in jail, which was upheld by the appeal court. He was additionally fined Dh20,000.

All three men will be deported after serving their prison terms.