Motorcycle champion cleared of bringing marijuana into UAE

ABU DHABI // A Czech motorcycle champion who was arrested at Abu Dhabi International Airport in possession of marijuana, has had his case dropped by the criminal court.

B L was arrested in October after customs inspectors found a small piece of marijuana in his backpack. A blood test also found cocaine in his system.

The public prosecution charged the father of two with brining drugs into the country and consuming cocaine. He was referred to the criminal court on October 26.

“I came to the country to participate in an international festival, I always take part in international sporting events by performing motorcycle stunts and I travel to many countries,” said B L, who is in his late 20s.

“As I was packing to travel to Abu Dhabi, I took my brother’s backpack and put my laptop inside.”

B L denied bringing marijuana with him deliberately and said he was shocked when it was found in his backpack.

“I had no idea it was there. I have been in jail for more than 47 days and I lost the chance to participate in the festival and lost my sponsors.

“Holding me in jail will destroy my career in motorcycle stunt riding, so I ask the court to clear me so I can return home and celebrate Christmas with my family,” said B L.

Defence attorney Abdulqader Ismail said the case files lacked any evidence to prove that B L knew about the drugs.

“It would have been easy for him to get rid of it before reaching the airport.”

The 1.38 gram piece of marijuana was very small and in the bottom of the bag, said Mr Ismail, who also said that B L is a well known sports figure in the Czech Republic and a world champion in motorcycle rider since 2010.

He was scheduled to arrive in Abu Dhabi on October 26 and leave on October 30.

As for the cocaine consumption charge, Mr Ismail argued that the court was not specialised to look into the case because it occurred outside the UAE.

The reason cocaine was found in B L’s test results is because he had broken his leg while participating in a competition in China and on October 4 he underwent surgery at a hospital there.

“Perhaps the medicines prescribed to him there contained substances of cocaine,” said the lawyer.