Dubai court: Life sentence for drug dealer is reduced to 10 years

Briton was found to be selling cocaine and MDMA from an apartment in Al Barsha but won his appeal to have his sentence reduced.

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A 22-year-old Briton has had his life sentence for using and selling cocaine and MDMA reduced to 10 years in jail on appeal. 
The man, who was on a visit visa, was arrested in Al Barsha on July 31 last year after Dubai Police's anti-narcotics department received a tip-off about him.
"It was nearly 2am when we apprehended him under his residential building. He and his apartment were searched," said a policeman, 24.
Tablets were found in the man's pocket and, when his flat was searched, police found eight mobile phones used to promote and sell drugs. Police also found 53.55g of cocaine and a total of 9,391 tablets containing MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, in the defendant's possession. Scales used to weigh drugs were also found.

"We also found a large number of the tablets shaped like mushrooms in his apartment, hidden inside a plastic bag that was stashed inside another bag," said the policeman.
The Briton allegedly confessed to charges of selling and using drugs to police and prosecutors but he denied it in court.
Dubai Criminal Court sentenced him to life in prison to be followed by deportation but Dubai Court of Appeal on Thursday overturned the verdict and sentenced him to 10 years in jail, with a fine of Dh50,000. He will be deported after serving his jail term.