Drug addicts break out of cell and steal pills from jail clinic, Dubai court told

Two drug addicts broke out of a police station cell to steal anti-depressants from the on-site clinic, hears court.

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DUBAI // A riot broke out at a police station after two drug addicts escaped from their cell and began downing pills stolen from the jail's clinic, a court heard yesterday.

The Emiratis, who had been arrested for drug use, got out of their cell on May 29 last year after one of them, A M, 25, asked to go to the bathroom.

When he was out of sight he managed to unlock his handcuffs, prosecutors told the Criminal Court.

He then barged into the station clinic, pushing aside a police officer, before grabbing and swallowing various tablets. Amid the commotion the second prisoner, A A, 22, also escaped the cell and rushed to the clinic.

Both assaulted police officers trying to control them.

While the officers were distracted, all the other detainees managed to leave their cells and started brawling with the police.

Specialist riot officers had to be called in to bring them under control. By this time the two drug addicts were lying on the floor unconscious after swallowing a large number of pills, including Rivotril, Valium, Xanax, antidepressants and sleeping tablets.

The Emiratis were charged with damaging public property, stealing drugs, assaulting and resisting police officers.

They were found guilty in absentia at the Criminal Court in February and granted a retrial, but the court upheld their sentences of three years each.

They have yet to be sentenced for the original drug offence.

salamir@thenational.ae