Mohammad Asif, Pakistan crickets new poster boy, has been caught in possession of hashish on entering Dubai's international airport but surprisingly, he is not expected to be imprisoned.
Asif (26) was detained by customs authorities at the airport Sunday on charges of possessing illicit drugs, in this instance, cannabis resin or "hashish".
The cricketer was returning to Pakistan
after appearing for the Delhi Daredevils, in their match against Rajasthan Royals in Mumbai Friday. The stop in Dubai was thought to be a short "stop-over", but even in this instance a passenger would need to clear Dubai customs.
According to news reports, Asif was arrested after being 'sniffed out' by a sniffer dog in the transit lounge of the Dubai airport. One Pakistani Cricket Board official was quoted as saying "Asif appeared to be in possession of cigarettes filled with hashish". Pakistan's foreign office said it was in touch with the authorities in Dubai.
Forensic tests carried out have since proved Mohammad Asif was indeed carrying a small amount of hashish.
The authorities may not refer the case to court but deport the player, media reports said Thursday.
Which begs the question "why"?
Regular Canna Zine cannabis news readers will have followed the recent high profile cases which have included a number of foreigners being found in possession of sometimes "miniscule" amounts of cannabis, with the outcome normally a mandatory 4 year jail term in Dubai.
UN Drugs Eradication professional Bert Tatham was caught back in 2007, with a tiny amount of cannabis resin stuck to his trousers, as he transited Dubai on his way home to Canada, after spending months in Afghanistan, where Tatham was involved in the United Nations effort to eradicate poppies and cannabis plants.
He was convicted and sentenced to a 4 year prison term, which would be repealed in months that followed as a result of a pardon by the king to celebrate his birthday, (the kings, not Tatham's)
More recently English radio 1 DJ Grooverider was found in possession of a couple of grams of cannabis, as he arrived in Dubai to play a gig. Grooverider was also convicted and sentenced to 4 years, a sentence which he is still serving today.
Dubai has gone to great lengths to sell itself as the place not to be found with illicit drugs. The ultra-conservative arab state has welcomed the money which the affluent western travellers bring with them to the sun-kissed beach's and space age hotels which adorn the Dubai Waterfront.
But it has not embraced the western "party culture" which undoubtedly travels with the beautiful young things who frequent Dubai and has done all in its power to stamp on drug use.
Which does make you wonder why the rules for foreigners arriving at Dubai International Airport are applied so mercilessly, and yet in this instance, when a local sporting hero is found comitting the same offence, a simple deportation is the outcome? With no criminal offence, and no 4 year prison sentence?
One of lifes great mysteries!
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