Arrested for possession or use
You or a relative are held on a possession or use allegation. First we check: where and how the substance was found, what was said, and what has been signed. Talk to us about a possession allegation
Criminal law & defence · Drug offences · Dubai & UAE
Drug Lawyer Dubai: Drug Charges Defence
If someone has just been arrested, call now: +971 4 570 0204, or leave a WhatsApp message with the basic facts.
Arrested, charged or failed a drug test in Dubai? Urgent, confidential defence for residents and tourists, from the police station to appeal.
- High success rate in the matters we handle
- Free first consultation
- Residents & visitors
- Dubai & Sharjah offices
Tell us about the matter
Tell us what is happening in your own words. We will explain where you stand and what the sensible next step is.
Act early
Drug lawyer Dubai: if you or a relative has been arrested, stopped or tested
If you or someone close to you has been arrested, stopped or tested in connection with drugs, a drug lawyer in Dubai can explain your rights and the process before any further statement is given. MBM advises residents and visitors facing possession, use, trafficking and related allegations, at every stage from the first stop to the criminal courts, and we can take instructions from a family member when the person concerned is detained. Your first consultation is free and confidential. You do not need papers in hand before you call. You do not have to work this out alone: we take the legal work off your shoulders, explain each step in plain English and make sure you always know where the matter stands.
Drug-related allegations are treated seriously under UAE law and can move quickly from a stop or a test to detention, so the early hours matter. This page is strictly about your legal rights and defence. It does not give advice on avoiding the authorities, and it does not state penalties, because the position in a real case depends on the facts and on the current law.
Who we act for
- UAE residents: advice and representation during an investigation, arrest or charge.
- Tourists and visitors: urgent advice where travel plans, documents and onward flights are also affected. See tourists and visitors.
- Families: relatives or friends acting for a person who is detained or abroad.
- Employers: companies dealing with an employee who has been stopped, tested or detained.
Start here
Which situation is yours?
Drug matters start in different ways, and the first step depends on how yours did. Pick the closest match.
Failed a drug test
A test at the border, at work or after an incident came back positive. First we check: who ordered the test, how the sample was handled, and what the result shows. Talk to us about a failed test
Trafficking or supply allegation
You are accused of supplying, distributing or transporting. First we check: the evidence of supply, the role alleged, and how the investigation was carried out. Talk to us about a trafficking allegation
Stopped at the airport
A substance or medication was found on arrival or departure. First we check: what was found, where, and what documents or prescriptions exist. Talk to us about an airport case
Visiting the UAE
A drug allegation while on a visit, with flights and family at home. First we check: passport and flight details, where the person is held, and who is acting. Talk to us about a case involving a tourist
Worried about deportation
A drug matter threatens residence or has led to an order. First we check: residence status, any order issued and the stage of the case. Talk to us about deportation risk
The framework
Drug offences under UAE narcotics legislation
Drug-related allegations in the UAE are governed principally by federal narcotics legislation. As we understand it, this is Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021, in force from 2 January 2022, which replaced Federal Law No. 14 of 1995. The legislation distinguishes between categories such as possession, use, and supply or trafficking, and treats them with differing degrees of seriousness. Current professional commentary reports that this legislation has been amended in recent years to introduce more rehabilitation-oriented options in certain circumstances, alongside its existing penalties. A narcotics lawyer in Dubai therefore starts by identifying exactly which category is alleged.
Narcotics lawyer Dubai: what the first review covers
Whether the file calls it a drug case or a narcotics case, the first review is the same. We ask what the allegation is, which authority is dealing with it, what has already been said and signed, and what stage the matter has reached. From those answers we can tell you which category is in play and what to do next, before anything further is said to the authorities.
Whether a specific quantity, substance or set of circumstances falls into one category or another, and whether any rehabilitation-oriented option may be available, depends heavily on the facts. This page describes the general framework. It is not advice on your matter.
| Kind of allegation | What is alleged | What a defence usually examines |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | Having a controlled substance | How the substance was found, whose it was and whether the person knew about it |
| Use | Having used a controlled substance | How and when a test was done, how the sample was handled and what the result shows |
| Supply or trafficking | Supplying, distributing or transporting a substance | The evidence of supply, the role alleged and how the investigation was carried out |
| Import or export | Bringing a substance into or taking it out of the UAE | What was found, where and how, and what the person knew |
| Test-based allegation | A positive test at the border, at work, after an accident or in a check | The circumstances of the test, the result and the procedure followed |
Types of allegation
Drug charges lawyer Dubai: possession, use and trafficking
A drug charges lawyer in Dubai deals with a range of allegations, and the first job is to sort them. Possession and use are generally treated differently from supply, distribution or trafficking, which is treated as a more serious category than personal possession or use. Which category applies depends on the quantity, the circumstances and the evidence.
Drug possession lawyer Dubai: possession allegations
We look at how the substance came to be found, in whose possession, and what the person is said to have known. The facts of a search matter: where it happened, who carried it out and how it was recorded. We review these points with you and tell you where the case is strong and where it is not.
Drug use lawyer Dubai: allegations of use
Allegations of use usually come from a test or an admission. The questions are practical: who ordered the test, how the sample was taken and handled, what the result actually shows and what the person said before and after. Do not give or sign a statement without advice.
What we handle on possession and use:
- Reviewing how the search, the sample and the test were carried out.
- Establishing the category of allegation.
- Preparing you before any statement or interview.
- Considering whether any rehabilitation-oriented option may be relevant.
Drug trafficking lawyer Dubai: supply and transport allegations
These are allegations of supplying, distributing or transporting a controlled substance, and they usually involve a longer investigation, more evidence and a more serious category of allegation. Early legal advice is important, because what is said in the first interviews can shape the whole file.
What we handle on trafficking and import or export allegations:
- Supply, distribution and transport allegations.
- Matters arising at airports and border points.
- Reviewing the evidence of role, quantity and knowledge.
Drug case lawyer UAE: what we review in every case
Whatever the category, we review the same core points in every matter:
- The stop or search: what authority acted, what was done and how it was recorded.
- The substance and the testing: how the item or sample was handled and what the result shows.
- The statements: what was said, in what language and with what help. If the allegation rests on messages or online activity, see also our cybercrime lawyer page.
- The category: whether the allegation has been correctly characterised.
- The procedure: whether the steps required were followed.
None of this means a case will succeed. It is how a defence is built, and we are honest about the weaknesses.
Arrested, tested or charged in a drug case? Speak to us in confidence. Your first consultation is free.
Tourists and visitors
Tourists and visitors: drug cases at the airport
If you are visiting the UAE, a drug allegation raises practical questions at the same time as the legal ones: your flight, your hotel, your family at home and your embassy. We deal with all of these together. Families often search for a "drug lawyer for tourist Dubai" when a relative is held and nobody at home knows the system, and the first call can be made by the family from abroad. The same criminal framework generally applies regardless of residency status, though issues such as travel documents and onward travel can add urgency for visitors.
Arrested at the airport
Allegations connected to bringing a controlled substance into, or attempting to take one out of, the UAE can arise at airports and other border points. If you or a relative have been stopped, the first steps are the same as for any arrest: ask for a lawyer, avoid signing papers you do not understand and keep every document you are given. Then call us. If medication is part of what happened, tell us at the first consultation and bring any prescription or doctor's letter you have. As we understand it, visitors may carry prescription medicines only if the medicine is permitted and declared, and some medicines are controlled. As we understand it, CBD products and THC traces are also treated as controlled. Rules change, so check the official guidance before you travel and tell us what you were carrying.
What a family abroad can do
If your relative is detained in Dubai and you are in another country, you can instruct us from abroad. Send the person's full name, passport details, flight information, where they are held, if known, and any reference number. A power of attorney may help in some cases; see our page on power of attorney. You can also consider contacting their embassy or consulate, which cannot act as a lawyer but may explain what support it offers.
Your travel plans and the case
A pending case can affect your ability to leave the country. Do not assume you can keep your flight. We explain what the position is and what to do about onward travel and accommodation. For the wider picture on restrictions, see our page on a travel ban lawyer in Dubai.
How it works
Arrested for drugs in Dubai: lawyer help in the first hours
If you have been arrested for drugs in Dubai, a lawyer can help you at each stage, and the matter generally moves along the same path as other criminal matters, though the early stages are often quicker and can involve detention. Use this as a map, not a prediction.
- Step 01
Stop, test or arrest
The initial encounter that triggers the matter. Detention pending investigation is common in drug matters.
- Step 02
Police
Statements, interviews and forensic testing before Dubai Police or the relevant authority. Advice before any statement is important.
- Step 03
Public Prosecution
Referral to Public Prosecution, further questioning, and a decision on whether the matter proceeds to the criminal court.
- Step 04
Criminal court
Proceedings before the Court of First Instance, decided on the evidence and the applicable UAE law.
- Step 05
Judgment
The court issues its judgment, setting out its findings and any penalties or, where applicable, alternative measures.
- Step 06
Appeal
Where grounds exist, assessing and pursuing an appeal before the Court of Appeal, generally within strict time limits that run from the judgment.
Searching for help after an arrest
Families often search late at night for "arrested for drugs in Dubai lawyer" or "urgent drug lawyer Dubai". If that is you, the useful first step is a short call or WhatsApp message with the person's name, where they are held and what they have been told. We cover the practical questions below.
Urgent drug lawyer Dubai: what to do in the first hours
If you need an urgent drug lawyer in Dubai because someone has been detained, tell us who they are, where they are, what they were told and what they have already said. You can send the facts by WhatsApp. We prioritise enquiries about a current arrest.
Forums
Where your matter will be heard
Knowing who deals with a drug matter tells you what to expect at each stage. This is a plain-English map; your case depends on the facts.
| Authority | What it generally deals with | Where it appears on this page |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Police | The stop, test or arrest, statements and forensic testing | First hours |
| Public Prosecution | Further questioning and the decision whether the matter goes to court | First hours |
| Criminal Court of First Instance | Hearings and judgment where the matter proceeds | First hours |
| Court of Appeal | Appeals against a judgment, where grounds exist | First hours |
| The immigration authority | Residence and any order affecting a non-national | Deportation |
Tests and traces
Failed drug tests and traces of drugs
A positive test can start a matter at the border, at work, after an accident or in a routine or targeted check. As we understand it, a positive test can found a case even where the substance was taken abroad, and refusing a drug test can itself be an offence. Both points depend on the facts and the current rules, so ask us before you decide how to respond to a request for a test. If you have failed a drug test in Dubai, a lawyer can help you understand what the result means for the case, which is not always obvious. People who search "drug test failed Dubai lawyer" often assume the result decides everything; a lawyer looks at the test, not only the result.
How we review a trace case
UAE authorities have historically taken a strict approach to controlled substances, including small or trace quantities, though current professional commentary notes a degree of legal reform and evolving practice in this area. This is fact-sensitive and should be assessed on your specific circumstances rather than assumed. If you searched for a "traces of drugs UAE lawyer", this is what the review covers: how the sample was taken, how it was handled, what the result actually shows and what you said at the time.
What a lawyer reviews in a test-based case
- Who carried out the test and on what basis.
- How the sample was taken, recorded and passed on.
- What the laboratory result says and what it does not say.
- What you were asked and what you answered, and whether you had help with the language.
- Whether the allegation has been placed in the correct category.
Workplace and employer questions
If the test was done at work, there may be an employment side as well as a criminal one. Tell us at the first consultation, and we can advise on the position alongside the criminal matter; see our employee rights lawyer page for the employment side. An employer who has had an employee tested or detained can also call us for advice on its own position; see employment advice for employers.
Options
Rehabilitation-oriented options and what the law may allow
Current professional commentary reports that UAE narcotics legislation has been amended in recent years to introduce more rehabilitation-oriented options in certain circumstances, alongside the existing penalties. Whether such an option is available in a particular case depends on the facts, and this page cannot confirm it in the abstract.
What we can do is ask the right questions early: what is alleged, what category it falls into, what stage the matter has reached and what the authority involved has the power to do. If an alternative to the usual route may be relevant, we raise it with you at the first consultation, so you are not relying on rumour. As we understand it, a person may be able to seek treatment before an arrest and avoid prosecution, but whether that is open to you depends on the facts and the current rules, so ask before you assume it.
Immigration
Deportation and immigration consequences
A criminal conviction, including for a drug-related offence, can carry immigration consequences for non-nationals, including the possibility of a deportation order. We advise on the criminal defence and, where relevant, on the related immigration exposure alongside it, not as an afterthought.
Because this area is fact-sensitive and the position can change, we do not state a rule on this page. If you are worried about residence, a visa or an order that has already been issued, tell us at the first consultation. For more on orders and challenges, see our page on a deportation lawyer in Dubai.
Our approach
How MBM works on a drug matter
Drug matters do not wait for a convenient appointment, so we work in a few clear steps.
- Step 01
Free first consultation
Your first consultation is free and confidential. You, or a family member, tell us what has happened and we explain where you stand.
- Step 02
Establish the allegation
We identify what is alleged, the category, the authority involved and the stage reached.
- Step 03
Written scope and fees
If you instruct us, we give you a scope and a fee position before paid work starts.
- Step 04
Prepare for interview
Where an interview is scheduled, we advise beforehand so that a statement is not given without understanding its consequences.
- Step 05
Representation
We act before Public Prosecution and the criminal courts, and consider immigration questions alongside.
- Step 06
Review and next steps
We advise on any appeal or follow-up after a decision.
Avoid these
Common mistakes to avoid
Fear leads to mistakes in the first hours. These are the ones we would most want to help you avoid.
- Giving a statement without advice. The first interview can shape the whole file. Ask for a lawyer first.
- Signing a paper you cannot read. Official papers are generally in Arabic. Ask for translation help before you sign.
- Assuming a tourist is treated differently. Do not assume that being a visitor changes the process. Get advice early.
- Discussing the matter online. Posts and messages can be read by others, including the authorities.
- Contacting other people involved. Direct contact can be misunderstood. Let a lawyer advise.
- Paying an intermediary. Release and outcomes are decided by the authorities and the courts, not by an agent. Do not hand over money for a promise.
- Leaving it to the embassy. An embassy or consulate cannot act as your lawyer, though it may help in other ways.
Before you call
What to have to hand
You do not need any of this to call us. If someone is currently detained, call immediately, and we can act on instructions from a family member or contact.
- Details of the arrest, stop or testWhere, when and by which authority.
- Passport or Emirates ID detailsOf the person concerned, if available.
- Any documents receivedA notice, summons, receipt or reference number.
- Travel detailsFlight dates, hotel and visa status, if the person is a visitor.
- Any medical or prescription papersIf medication was involved, a doctor's letter or prescription.
- Details of any statement already givenWhat was said, to whom and when, and in which language.
- Contact details for family or an employerSo we know who else may need to be informed, with the person's consent.
- A timeline of eventsAs you understand them, with dates and times where you can.
Why MBM
Why MBM for drug cases
Drug matters are frightening, fast-moving and sensitive. This is how we approach them.
Rated 4.9 on Google reviews. MBM is a founder-led team, led by Mohamed Badr with 17 years of legal experience, with litigation and arbitration handled by the same team and offices in Dubai and Sharjah. For drug matters that means a confidential first call, a plain explanation of the process and a written scope and fee before paid work starts. MBM works with group companies in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and the Gulf, which helps when a matter has an international side. That is useful for visitors and for families who are in another country.
Urgent enquiries are prioritised
Enquiries connected to a current arrest or detention are treated as a priority, and family members can instruct us from the first call.
Immigration awareness
We consider the immigration consequences for non-nationals alongside the criminal defence. See our page on bail, Interpol and deportation, and our wider page on a criminal law firm in Dubai.
Discretion and respect
Confidentiality applies from the first call, and we do not judge. Your lawyer's job is to defend your rights.
No promises on outcome
No responsible firm can promise the outcome of a drug case. We tell you the realistic position, including weaknesses, before you commit.
Where we are
Dubai, Sharjah and the rest of the UAE
MBM has offices in Dubai Media City and in Sharjah (Al Khalidiya), and we advise on drug matters across the UAE. If you have searched for "drug lawyer near me Dubai", those are the two places to find us. You can meet us at either office, speak by phone or send details by WhatsApp. If the matter arose in another emirate, tell us at the first consultation. For criminal defence more broadly, see our page on a criminal lawyer in Dubai.
Fees
How fees work
Your first consultation with MBM is free and confidential. If you decide to instruct us, we confirm the scope and the fee in writing before paid work starts, so you know what is covered. Court fees, translation costs and other third-party charges depend on the matter and are separate from legal fees.
Because every drug case is different, we do not publish a price list. Ask at your first consultation and we will answer directly. If a family member is paying for someone who is detained, say so at the first call.
Facing a drug allegation, or acting for a relative who is? Call, message or send a form. Your first consultation is free and confidential.
MBM legal team
Who you will speak to
Your free first consultation is with a member of MBM’s legal team in Dubai or Sharjah. Drug matters are handled in confidence and without judgement from the first call, and a family member can make it for you.
Mohamed Badr
Founder & Managing Partner
Mohamed Badr leads MBM and has 17 years of legal experience. His career has included roles at law firms and multinational corporations in the UAE, advising businesses on high-stakes disputes, corporate restructuring and commercial litigation.
- Mana Ahmad Al HarmodiLawyer
- Mohamed KhamisLegal Consultant
- Sobhy BadrLegal Consultant
- Abdelsabour ElnasrLegal Associate
- Hamada KhedrLegal Associate
- Yasser ElbakryLegal Associate
- Afreen SiddiquiLegal Associate
Names and titles as published on mbm-co.com. Your first consultation is with a member of MBM’s legal team in Dubai or Sharjah.
Common questions
Drug cases in the UAE: your questions answered
General information, not advice on your matter. Positions and procedures can change and depend on your specific facts, so please contact MBM directly to discuss yours.
People ask "what happens if caught with drugs in Dubai". What is the usual path?
The matter generally moves from the stop, test or arrest to the police, then to Public Prosecution and, if the matter proceeds, to the criminal court. Detention pending investigation is common. What happens next depends on the category of allegation and the facts, so ask for a lawyer before giving any statement.
I have been arrested on suspicion of a drug offence in Dubai. What should I do?
Ask to speak to a lawyer before providing any statement or answering questions in detail. Drug-related allegations are treated seriously under UAE law, and early advice can affect the options available at each stage that follows.
My family member was arrested for drugs at Dubai airport. What should we do?
Call us and give the person's full name, passport details, flight information, where they are held, if known, and any reference number. We can be instructed by a family member, including from abroad. You may also wish to inform their embassy or consulate.
Are drug offences treated the same for tourists and visitors as for residents?
The same criminal framework generally applies regardless of residency status, though practical issues such as travel documents and onward travel plans can add urgency for visitors. MBM advises both residents and visitors.
Can I be charged even for a trace amount of a controlled substance?
UAE authorities have historically taken a strict approach to controlled substances, including small or trace quantities, though current professional commentary notes a degree of legal reform and evolving practice in this area. As we understand it, a positive test can found a case even where the substance was taken abroad, and refusing a test can itself be an offence. This is fact-sensitive and should be assessed on your circumstances rather than assumed.
Can I bring prescription medicine or CBD products into the UAE?
As we understand it, visitors may carry prescription medicines only if the medicine is permitted and declared, and some are controlled. CBD products, and THC traces, are treated as controlled. Rules change, so check the official guidance before you travel. If something has already happened at the airport, bring the prescription or doctor's letter and call us.
What is the difference between possession, use and trafficking allegations?
These are treated as distinct categories under UAE narcotics legislation, generally carrying different levels of seriousness. Possession and use are typically treated differently from supply, distribution or trafficking. Which category applies depends on the quantity, circumstances and evidence.
I searched "drug possession penalty UAE". What does the law say?
We do not state penalties on this page, because the position depends on the category of allegation, the substance, the facts and the current law, and published figures often differ. At your first consultation we explain how the law applies to your situation, and we do not promise any outcome.
Has UAE drug law become more rehabilitation-focused in recent years?
Current professional commentary reports that UAE narcotics legislation has been amended in recent years to introduce more rehabilitation-oriented options in certain circumstances, alongside the existing penalties. Whether these options are available in a given case depends on the facts and is not something this page can confirm in the abstract.
Can first-time offenders avoid prison or get rehabilitation instead?
We cannot answer that in the abstract. As we understand it, a person may be able to seek treatment before an arrest and avoid prosecution. Whether any alternative route is available depends on the allegation, the facts and the stage the matter has reached. It is one of the questions we raise at the first consultation, and we explain what is realistic without promising it.
Can a lawyer challenge how a search or test was carried out?
A lawyer can review how a search, a sample or a test was carried out and recorded, and what the result actually shows. Whether any point helps your case depends on the facts, and we do not promise that a challenge will succeed.
Can a foreign national be deported following a drug-related conviction?
A criminal conviction, including for a drug-related offence, can carry immigration consequences for non-nationals. MBM advises on both the criminal defence and, where relevant, the related immigration exposure. See our page on a deportation lawyer in Dubai.
Can MBM assist if I am currently detained in connection with a drug allegation?
Yes. MBM can be instructed by a family member or contact on behalf of someone who is detained, and will act promptly to review the position and advise on next steps.
Is bail possible in a drug case?
Release pending investigation or trial can be available in some UAE criminal matters, sometimes on conditions, depending on the allegation and the stage reached. Whether it is available in a drug case is fact-sensitive and decided by the relevant authority. See our page on a bail lawyer in Dubai.
Will my employer find out?
That depends on the circumstances, including whether the matter arose at work and who was told. We keep your matter confidential, and we can advise you on the employment side alongside the criminal one.
Is the first consultation really free?
Yes. MBM's first consultation is free and confidential. It is a discussion of your situation and your options. If you then choose to instruct MBM, we confirm the scope and the fee in writing before any paid work starts.
Is my consultation about a drug-related matter confidential?
Yes. Every consultation and engagement with MBM is treated with professional confidentiality, whether the matter is at the enquiry stage or already before Public Prosecution or the criminal courts.
Can MBM promise the outcome of a drug case?
No. No responsible law firm can promise the outcome of a criminal matter. MBM's role is to provide diligent, strategic representation based on the facts and the applicable law.
How quickly should a lawyer be contacted after a drug-related arrest?
As early as possible, ideally by a family member or contact immediately after the arrest becomes known, so that advice can be sought before key procedural steps take place.
Free first consultation
Tell us about the matter
Your first consultation with MBM is free and confidential. Tell us briefly what has happened. A member of MBM’s legal team will review your enquiry and come back to you with the appropriate next step.
If someone is detained or an interview is close, please call rather than waiting for a reply to this form. A family member can contact us on their behalf.
- Call +971 4 570 0204Dubai office
- WhatsApp +971 54 596 1111Send a message and the documents you have
- info@mbm-co.comSend the details and documents by email
Dubai · Office 3204, Level 32, Business Central Towers – Tower B, Dubai Media City
Sharjah · Office 2001, Level 20, Al Hind Tower, Al Khalidiya District
Practice area: Criminal LawOffices: Dubai & SharjahContent updated: October 2026
Tell us about the matter
Tell us what is happening in your own words. We will explain where you stand and what the sensible next step is.
Drug matters move quickly. So should your call for advice.
Your first consultation is free and confidential. If someone is detained or an interview is close, call rather than waiting for a form reply, and a family member can contact us on their behalf.