The crime of drug promotion causes devastating effects on both individuals and society as a whole.

In the United Arab Emirates, the authorities consider drug promotion to be one of the most dangerous crimes threatening the security and stability of communities.

This is due to its serious consequences and the state’s high priority in combating this crime in all its forms.

Strict legislation and deterrent penalties are applied against anyone involved in such acts.

This article aims to shed light on the crime of drug promotion under UAE law, explaining its concept, key elements, and the penalties prescribed for it.

The UAE’s anti-narcotics policy is based on strong and advanced legislation.

Most notably, Federal Decree-Law No. (30) of 2021 on Combating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, and its amendment in Federal Decree-Law No. (53) of 2023.

These laws clearly define the types of prohibited substances and criminalize all related actions, including promotion, trafficking, possession, abuse, and smuggling.

The Concept of Drug Promotion Crime

Drug promotion does not only mean selling drugs.

It includes any act aimed at spreading or distributing these toxic substances among individuals, or manufacturing them with the intent of use.

Q: What are the actions classified under “drug promotion” in UAE law?
A: The law considers the following acts as drug promotion:

Incitement or Encouragement:
Anyone who incites or encourages another person to commit any drug-related offense, especially drug use or facilitating access to drugs.

Manufacture or Possession of Promotional Items:
Anyone who manufactures, imports, possesses, or sells any goods, prints, or items containing images, phrases, or symbols that promote drug crimes or psychotropic substances.

Wearing or Using Promotional Materials:
Anyone who wears clothes or uses items or prints that contain such promotional content.

Lacing Food or Drink with Drugs:
Anyone who secretly adds drugs to someone else’s food or drink without their knowledge or consent, causing them to consume the substance unknowingly.

Q: What are the legal elements of the crime of drug promotion?
A: There are two main elements:

Material Element:
This involves committing any of the acts listed in the law that qualify as promotion, such as incitement, encouraging usage, manufacturing promotional tools, or lacing food/drinks with drugs.

Moral Element (Criminal Intent):
This refers to the offender being fully aware that their actions are intended to promote or spread drugs or psychotropic substances, and their conscious intent to achieve that goal.

This element distinguishes the crime of promotion from mere possession or consumption.

Q: What are the penalties for drug promotion in the UAE?

A: Severe penalties are imposed on those convicted of drug promotion in the UAE, and these vary depending on the seriousness of the crime and surrounding circumstances. Penalties can include:

Life Imprisonment:

This is a standard penalty in many drug promotion cases, especially when the crime is serious or linked to organized crime.

Death Penalty:
In particularly severe cases, such as drug promotion for the purpose of trafficking, being part of a criminal gang, or repeated offenses, the death penalty may be applied.

Drug-related cases, including promotion, are among the most complex criminal cases, requiring precision in legal procedures and in proving criminal intent.

The Public Prosecution and courts often face challenges in proving promotional intent, relying on circumstantial evidence such as:

1. The quantity of drugs seized.

2. Packaging and distribution methods.

3. Presence of distribution tools.

4. Communication records suggesting promotion.

5. The accused’s criminal record or intent.