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Thu, Jan 22, 2026 | Shaban 3, 1447 | Fajr 05:45 | DXB 
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Dh50,000 fine, 5 years jail: New UAE law tightens penalties for drug-related offences
The law mandates deportation of foreign nationals convicted of narcotics offences, with limited exceptions
The UAE government has issued a federal decree amending certain provisions of the law on combating narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
Penalties have been tightened for pharmacies that dispense narcotic substances without a prescription, as well as for physicians who prescribe narcotic substances without a licence. Both offences will incur a sentence of not less than five years and a fine of not less than Dh50,000, with such violations treated as offences of facilitating narcotic drug use.
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The law permits the establishment and operation of addiction treatment and rehabilitation units for drug addicts within private health facilities, in addition to the federal and local health authorities.
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It also mandates the deportation of foreign nationals convicted of narcotics offences, while allowing for limited exceptions. The court must order the deportation of any such convicted foreigner, except in two specific cases: where the person is the spouse or first-degree relative of a UAE citizen at the time of committing the offence, or where the person is a member of a family residing in the UAE and the court determines that deportation would cause serious harm to the stability of the family or deprive a family member of necessary care, provided the family has the financial ability to support treatment.
The government has also reassigned the competent authorities responsible for drug-related offences. References to the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the Minister of Health and Prevention in the original law are replaced with the Emirates Drug Establishment and its Chairperson, establishing the entity as the authority responsible for the regulation of medical products in the country.
References to the Ministry of Interior are replaced with the National Anti-Narcotics Authority, reflecting its central role in leading national efforts to combat narcotics-related crimes.
Provisions governing the possession and handling of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for scientific and medical purposes have been updated. Licences may be granted to qualified entities, including health facilities, chemical testing laboratories, research centres, and medical product manufacturing, storage and distribution facilities, under the supervision of the competent authorities.
The amendments form part of the UAE's ongoing efforts to strengthen community protection, uphold justice, safeguard rights and enhance the national framework for combating narcotics in line with the highest regulatory, health and security standards.
The amendments in a snapshot:
Pharmacies dispensing narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances without valid prescription to get Dh50,000 fine and not less than five years in jail
Same penalties for any physician issuing a prescription for a narcotic drug or psychotropic substance without licence
Deportation of foreign nationals convicted of narcotics offences, with some exceptions
Reassigning authorities responsible for regulation of medical products and combat narcotics-related crimes.
Federal health authorities and private health facilities can establish units for treatment and rehabilitation of addicts
Labs and health facilities can obtain licences to handle narcotic drugs for scientific and medical purposes
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