SENIOR UAE ANTI-NARCOTICS CHIEF CALLS FOR HARSH SENTENCES FOR TRAFFICKERS

Anti-narcotics head emphasises that focus for drug addicts will be on rehabilitation rather than punishment

A senior UAE anti-narcotics chief has vowed to get even tougher on drug possession – after proposing stiffer sentences for offenders.

With global drug use on the rise, according to a recent UN report, Brig Saeed Al Suwaidi, director of the Federal AntiNarcotic Department and vice-president of the Federal Anti-Narcotic Council, told The

National stricter laws are needed to combat the crime.

“We are proposing to introduce tougher laws on individuals caught with large amounts of drugs,” he said.

“The tougher penalties we are looking to enforce are only for those with large amounts of drugs that indicates that it is not for personal use – rehabilitation will remain the main intent for addicts.”

The new laws, he said, were in line with international practices and punishments.

They will mean an increase in prison sentences on individuals arrested in possession of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in specified quantities considered too large for personal use.

The sentences, he said, will differ depending on the amount and type of drug in possession.

“We can’t say that we will double the prison sentences but we can safely say that they will be much tougher,” he said.

For drug addicts, the focus is more on rehabilitation and the laws will not be changed, Brig Al Suwaidi said.

In 2016, a raft of changes to the UAE’s drug laws were introduced that significantly relaxed punishments for users – but not smugglers and suppliers.

They included reducing the minimum jail sentence from four years to two. The use of illegal drugs was also downgraded to a misdemeanour and options other than jail were introduced for first-time offenders, such as a maximum Dh10,000 fine, a stay in a rehabilitation centre, or community service.

Rehab options were strengthened and the attorney general was given the power to send an offender for treatment without the case going to court, after advice from police and prosecutions.

Courts were given the option of adding a minimum fine of Dh10,000 to sentences for serial offenders. The minimum period spent in rehabilitation centres was also reduced to two years from three, among other changes.

“The world is seeing an increase and spread of drug production. This rise in drug production has in turn increased the number of traffickers and smugglers. Today, the rates of poppy and cocaine production are the highest in history,” Brig Al Suwaidi said.

Those arrested in possession will, however, not receive the death penalty, which is currently reserved only for drug traffickers and smugglers.

Previously, Brig Al Suwaidi had said that there was an increase in the rate of drug use. According to statistics, there was a rise in cases and drug seizures last year compared with the previous year.

“Drug seizures have increased by a whopping 538.2 per cent,” he said.

The number of drug cases in 2016 was 3,774, while the number of people arrested was 5,130. Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances seized totalled 9,640 kilograms. Last year, 4,454 cases were registered, there were 6,440 arrests and seizures totalled 61,525kg.

“It is time we put an end to this fatal habit, which is destroying the lives of children and families. But a shared responsibility is needed to combat it,” Brig Al Suwaidi said.

Teamwork, he said, was paramount. “Partnerships with societies and parents, as well as government institutions, is necessary. It is a team effort and with persistence, we can greatly reduce the number of drug smugglers and end the drug epidemic that is facing the world today,” he said.

We can’t say that we will double the prison sentences but we can safely say that they will be much tougher BRIG SAEED AL SUWAIDI Federal Anti-Narcotic Department