Judge says prescription for Tramadol looks forged

ABU DHABI // A man accused of illegally possessing Tramadol has produced a prescription that a judge said looked "forged".

The Egyptian said he was prescribed the drug after suffering a stroke in 2007 while working on a farm in Al Ain.

He told the judge he had complied with an order to visit the police forensic doctor to ascertain his need for the drug, but said he could not remember the doctor's name.

"Was she blonde or a brunette?" asked Chief Justice Sayed Abdul Baseer.

"She was the colour of wheat," replied the man, who handed the judge his prescription.

But the judge said the prescription looked forged.

"You can tell from the handwriting. The doctor's writing at first is beautiful then the phrase, 'in addition to the medicine Tramadol when needed' has been added," said the judge.

"I won't charge you with anything new now. We will wait for the doctor to come testify.

"But when Egyptians try to play it smart they fall," warned the judge, who is also Egyptian. "This alone could throw you in jail for three years."

The man was also charged with using hashish but he said he had taken it in Egypt before entering the UAE.

"I come from a big family in Monofeya. We are well known and I have five kids in college," he said.

"Why would I ruin my and their reputations and take hashish here? If I want to fix my mood I'll do it in Egypt.

"I've been living in the country since 1991 and never had a criminal charge."

The case was adjourned until September 9.

hdajani@thenational.ae