Police drug abuse probe on 18 students ‘is over’

DUBAI — The 18 university and higher college students arrested last month in connection with a drug peddling and abuse case are still in custody and the case is now being looked into by court authorities, a police officer confirmed yesterday.

By A Correspondent

Published: Thu 7 Oct 2004, 10:04 AM

Last updated: Thu 2 Apr 2015, 2:38 PM

This confirmation brushes aside rumours that the students had been released on bail or were facing lenient treatment. Diplomatic missions in the city are being kept up-to-date on the case, said the official.

The Criminal Investigation Department of Dubai Police in mid-September said it had completed the investigation of a case in which 18 youths, including 17 university and higher college students, were arrested on charges of drug peddling and abuse.

One of the suspects was a young female student from a European country. Those involved are students at a private university and a number of higher colleges.

“Some people wanted to give the impression that the students were KG-2 pupils. Well, they are not. We have made sure that their accurate ages are known to all,” said the officer.

The arrests took place following a tip-off that the youths were taking hashish and circulating it. Investigations showed that the suspects were meeting at entertainment outlets, coffee shops, nightclubs and discotheques. They were apprehended following an intensive probe.

They are: R.H., 17, S.A., 18, S.A., 19 (Asians); S.A., 16, M.M., 17, A.G., 22, (from North America); E.B., 21, R.B., 18 (Africans); E.A., 21, T.A., 20, M.B., 21, A.F., 22, A.H., 19 (Arabs); A.A., 18 (a European female student); A.A., 20 (from an AGCC state); A. K., 22 (an Afro-Arab); and A.M. (an Arab expatriate working for a private company).

The police officer said medical tests have proved that they had taken hashish. “This means the documents are in the court and the accused will be tried on the charges filed against them by the prosecutor's office,” said another officer.

He disclosed that members of diplomatic missions in Dubai inquiring about their nationals were informed on details of the case, adding that police would not tolerate such behaviour and would continue to relentlessly crack down on peddlers and individuals involved in drug abuse.

“This is not a normal case. It is a very dangerous one and people have to know that,” said the officer.