The Ras Al Khaimah Court of Appeal has revised the sentence of a 42-year-old expatriate convicted in a drug case. While acknowledging medical factors, the court ruled the offences were not purely medicinal. The fine for drug misuse was reduced to Dhs10,000, the Dhs5,000 driving under the influence penalty remains, and the deportation order was …
In a significant turn of events, the Court of Appeal in Ras Al Khaimah has eased the penalties for a 42-year-old expatriate convicted of drug-related offences. While his conviction was upheld, the court reduced his fine and removed the deportation order previously imposed.
Originally, the man was sentenced by the Court of First Instance to pay a total fine of Dhs25,000 — Dhs20,000 for misuse of psychotropic substances (including amphetamines and methamphetamine), and Dhs5,000 for driving under their influence. Other penalties included a six-month driving licence suspension, confiscation of his phone, and deportation after serving the sentence.
Both the prosecution and defence appealed the verdict. Prosecutors pushed for stricter punishment, while the defence, represented by Hanan Salem Al Shammili’s Law Firm, argued that the substances were medically prescribed to treat anxiety, depression, and stress. They also claimed the defendant had no criminal intent and that his medical records were not given due weight.
The Court of Appeal acknowledged that medical factors played a part in the case but ruled that the offences could not be considered purely medicinal or entirely without fault. As a result, the judgment was amended: the fine for drug misuse was reduced to Dhs10,000, while the Dhs5,000 penalty for driving under the influence remained in place. The court also cancelled the deportation order and revoked the phone confiscation, though it upheld the suspension of the defendant’s driving licence.
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