Mia O’Brien
Source: Africa Publicity
A 23-year-old British national and a Liverpool University law student, Mia O’Brien, has been sentenced to life imprisonment in Dubai after she was caught with a reported 50g of cocaine, with several British media reports sighted by Africa Publicity describing the prison in which she has been placed as “violent” and “hellish”.
Reports say Mia O’Brien, from Huyton, Meyerside, was sentenced to life but will only serve 25 years of the sentence after she was found with the cocaine which have a street value in the UK of £2,500.
According to reports, the cocaine was found inside Mia’s Dubai apartment in “one big chunk”.
Reports say she was arrested alongside two other people – her friend and the friend’s boyfriend and all three have been charged with drug dealing.
Mia was convicted by a judge after a one day hearing on July 25.
The Brit was also fined a staggering £100,000 by the court before being sent to the hellish Dubai Central Prison, also known as Al-Awir, according to a report by The Sun.
Family Plea
Mia O’Brien’s family a few days ago pleaded for her, a report by the Daily Mail claimed.
Her family in their plea says she had had “never done a bad thing in her life” and had made a “very stupid mistake”.
Mia’s mother, Danielle McKenna, 46, told Daily Mail that “Mia feels she has destroyed her life as she wanted to be a lawyer or solicitor”.
Danielle says “She’s just made a stupid mistake after going over to see a friend and her boyfriend in Dubai.”
The mother-of-five added that Mia pleaded not guilty to intent to supply the drugs.
But reports say the judge swiftly ended the trial and handed her a life sentence of which she has to serve 25 years.
According to Danielle, “The trial was all in Arabic and Mia was told of the sentence later by her lawyer.”
Danielle added that “She is absolutely devastated by what has happened. Mia is being really strong but I know she is going through a living hell.”
UAE Strict Drug Laws
In Dubai and indeed across the entire United Arab Emirates (UAE), the possession of drugs is considered as a serious crime, regardless of the quantity. UAE’s laws are based on Islamic Sharia principles, and drug-related crimes are treated with utmost severity. Possession of any illicit substance, including marijuana, cocaine, heroin, or synthetic drugs, can lead to harsh penalties, ranging from imprisonment to deportation, depending on the circumstances. The UAE’s law enforcement agencies employ strict surveillance methods and impose rigorous checks at borders, airports, and seaports to combat drug smuggling and possession.
Drug possession in the UAE is primarily governed by Federal Law No. 14 of 1995, commonly known as the UAE Narcotics Law. Under this law, drug possession is categorized into three degrees: personal use, promotion, and trafficking. The penalties vary based on the degree of involvement and the type of drug.
According to Hassan AL Riyami Advocates & Legal Consultants, “Even the possession of small amounts of drugs for personal use can result in imprisonment of up to four years, followed by deportation for non-citizens. For higher quantities and cases involving drug trafficking, life imprisonment or even the death penalty may be imposed.”