What does the law say about possession?
Articles 10 and 11 of the Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021 (Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances) prohibit possessing or acquiring the controlled substances in its schedules except in authorised cases. Article 14 prohibits owning or possessing the listed plants and their seeds.
Possession for personal use is punished under Articles 41 to 44, and possession in other circumstances under Articles 57 and 58 by reference to Schedule 10. The purpose of possession therefore determines which penalty applies.
What if the substance is not on the schedules?
Article 12 extends the prohibition to any substance or plant that is likely to cause anaesthesia or harm the mind, when used for that purpose, and Article 56 punishes possessing or acquiring such a substance with the intent of trafficking or distributing it with imprisonment.
If the person was authorised to possess it and violated the purpose of the authorisation, that is an aggravating circumstance.
What if the drugs were put there without my knowledge?
Article 52 punishes whoever intentionally transports narcotics or psychotropic substances to the possession or acquisition of others without their knowledge of the truth, with imprisonment.
That is the situation in many airport and car cases. The central question in your defence is whether you knew and controlled the substance, and the evidence of who packed, carried or had access to it decides it.
What does the defence examine?
How the substance was found and sampled, who had access to the place or bag, what you said and in what language, and whether the amount and packaging show personal use or supply.
Do not sign statements about ownership without advice.
What should I do first?
Do not make admissions about ownership
Wait for advice.
List everyone who had access
Bags, cars, rooms, phones.
Secure CCTV and travel records
They fade quickly.
Call us immediately
Early statements shape the case.
Call us on +971 50 653 1334 or message us on WhatsApp. We answer at any hour.
Frequently asked questions
Is possession always an offence?
Possession of controlled substances is prohibited except in authorised cases (Articles 10 and 11).
What if someone planted it?
Article 52 punishes the person who transports substances to another's possession without their knowledge. Your lack of knowledge is the defence.
Is possession of a plant an offence?
Owning or possessing listed plants and seeds is prohibited (Article 14).
How do I know which penalty applies?
It depends on the purpose, substance and quantity (Articles 41 to 44 and 57 and 58).
Related guides
Drug Offences overview
The main points, the process and your first steps.
Read the overviewPersonal Use
What the law says about using drugs, or having them for personal use, the penalties for first and repeat offences, and when treatment can replace a sentence.
Read the guideTrafficking and Supply
How UAE law treats importing, producing, possessing and supplying controlled substances, and why quantity and intent shape the whole case.
Read the guideSources
Source: Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021 (Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances), official English text on the UAE Legislation portal, checked 9 October 2026. The portal lists the law as active and last updated on 1 October 2025. The Arabic text prevails over translations.
This page is general information, not legal advice.