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Cody Dawg · Jul 4, 2006, 07:23 AM

Dubai pardons Dallas Austin for cocaine possession.

Lawyers for Dallas Austin, 33, had planned to appeal his sentence before Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced the pardon on Tuesday.

Unbelievable. This is a country where a woman named Tracy Wilkinson was locked up for having prescription drugs in her urine and was sentenced to four years in prison for it.

Dubai and UAE has historically had very harsh sentences for drug crimes. Yet Dallas Austin walks free?

Like I said, it's unbelievable and it illustrates that Dubai is a country of hypocrisy and that money can buy you freedom.

Mastrap · Jul 4, 2006, 08:06 AM

That's why I stay clear of the entire Middle East. I had a job offer for Dubai some years back and although the money was extremely tempting I didn't ever consider it seriously.

Having said that, it is a tourist's responsibility to make sure not to fall foul of local laws. The same thing would apply to foreigners visiting Canada or the US.

Cody Dawg · Jul 4, 2006, 08:44 AM

But did you read where Tracy Wilkinson was stopped for a passport issue and they tested her urine - then locked her up because she had traces of prescription drugs in her system?

That's just freaking screwed up.

That means that if I have a prescription for, say, muscle relaxers and take one for the flight and *somehow* get pulled aside in Dubai and they test my urine they can lock me up indefinitely.

Meanwhile, Dallas Austin does something that would get him a 10-year sentence in Bali, a 4 to 10-year sentence in Dubai under normal circumstances, and some kind of punishment in the United States and here he walks away?

This should prove to the world what a hypocritical "legal" system Dubai and UAE has.

Good thing you didn't take that job in the Middle East, Mastrap.

tooki · Jul 4, 2006, 09:08 AM

Cody, you've just shown a great example of how drug laws (because they are entirely laws to support moral judgements, not health issues) have no proportion to the alleged crime -- and that's no matter where in the world you are, though some places (where moral law has legal standing, as in the entire Arab world) are nuttier than others.

tooki

Doofy · Jul 4, 2006, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

That's just freaking screwed up.

He's a bloke, she's a chick.

There ya go.

production_coordinator · Jul 4, 2006, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

But did you read where Tracy Wilkinson was stopped for a passport issue and they tested her urine - then locked her up because she had traces of prescription drugs in her system?

After reading the link you provided to Tracy Wilkinson... she should have been arrested.

Originally Posted by from the article

Codeine is banned by the Arab nation, and the presence of such drugs in the body is counted as possession and carries a minimum sentence of four years imprisonment.

I've traveled internationally... and everyone that does so knows that you follow the laws of the destination country. Her prescription was for England only... not the UAE, and she was breaking their laws. Do I think the punishment is WAY too harsh? YES... it's their country. Smoking is banned where I live in Bars... If someone from the UAE came here... I would hope they would respect out laws.

I'm not saying she should have been locked up, but it's clear she broke the law.

IceEnclosure · Jul 4, 2006, 10:40 AM

Drug laws in America are similarly retarded.

pooka · Jul 4, 2006, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by Doofy

He's a bloke, she's a chick. There ya go.

I bet the only reason she was even charged was because her owner wouldn't step forward and accept responsibility....
I kid, I kid.

The Godfather · Jul 4, 2006, 10:59 AM

If you are a U.S. citizen, you have a higher leg up squirreling out of any country law, compared to citizens of other countries.

d4nth3m4n · Jul 4, 2006, 11:11 AM

i'm a little saddened that it took the UAE to open your eyes about hypocrisy in drug sentencing.

take a look at the minimum sentence for comparable amounts of crack vs. cocaine.

or google up the rockefeller drug laws in NY.

Eug Wanker · Jul 4, 2006, 12:18 PM

Wrong forum?

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Unbelievable. This is a country where a woman named Tracy Wilkinson was locked up for having prescription drugs in her urine and was sentenced to four years in prison for it.

She was out in 7 weeks and was acquitted.

Cody Dawg · Jul 4, 2006, 02:09 PM

Why was she locked up at all?

You think it's okay to be harassed and locked up...just because it was "only 7 weeks?"

Why don't you come visit some small southern county where the sheriff is a good ole boy and he locks you up...for whatever reason...you spend a couple of days locked up for no reason that you know of and let's hear how loud you honk about the injustice.

d4nth3m4n · Jul 4, 2006, 02:13 PM

you chose some strange chips to put on your shoulder, Cody.

Eug Wanker · Jul 4, 2006, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Why was she locked up at all?

Cuz she (potentially) broke the law? Opiates in her blood is pretty damning evidence, when she can't provide a good reason for it, and it's against the law in that country.

Personally, I think their laws are far too harsh too, but ignorance of the law is not a sufficient defence.

Anyways, I was just commenting on the fact your post claiming she was sentenced to 4 years in prison was simply wrong.

Cody Dawg · Jul 4, 2006, 02:16 PM

How did she break the law?

WTF?

She took a prescription drug - supposedly (she says she did not) - and went on a trip and you think that's breaking the law?

That's hilarious!

I guess Dubai could lock up scores of people for that reason.

Eug Wanker · Jul 4, 2006, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

How did she break the law?

WTF?

She took a prescription drug - supposedly (she says she did not) - and went on a trip and you think that's breaking the law?

That's hilarious!

I guess Dubai could lock up scores of people for that reason.

Dubai ≠ US or UK. And yes, Dubai would if given the chance. The key is not to give them the chance if you're going to be visiting there.

Basically what it sounds like is that she had opiates etc. in her blood, and couldn't prove to the people initially that she had a good reason for it. Since those drugs are illegal there, they locked her up.

Once she got evidence that she did have a prescription for it and she had her hearing, she was acquitted.

It sucks that she was imprisoned in the first place, but that's besides the point. You said she was sentenced to 4 years in prison, and that's just blatantly false.

hyteckit · Jul 4, 2006, 02:51 PM

What is the prescription drug was marijiana?

So I come to the US with 10oz of prescription drug called marigiana and I get arrested and jail in the US. Man, US is messed up. Throwing ppl in jail for prescription drugs.

Doofy · Jul 4, 2006, 02:58 PM

1) Codeine ain't prescription - you can buy it at the local 7-11 off the shelf.

2) Temazepam is a prescription drug, regularly prescribed for insomnia. What do the UAE want visitors with sleep problems to do? Stay awake for their two week holiday?

The moral of the story isn't "don't take your meds" - it's "don't go to crappy fascistic countries".

BRussell · Jul 4, 2006, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by Doofy

1) Codeine ain't prescription - you can buy it at the local 7-11 off the shelf.

In the US, those types of pain relievers are only available by prescription. But I hear Rush Limbaugh can get them to you for cheap.

hyteckit · Jul 4, 2006, 03:21 PM

Rush Limbaurgh was arrested recently for having illegal drugs... Viagra.

Kevin · Jul 4, 2006, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by Eug Wanker

Cuz she (potentially) broke the law? Opiates in her blood is pretty damning evidence, when she can't provide a good reason for it, and it's against the law in that country.

She is saying it's a stupid law. And it is.

hyteckit · Jul 4, 2006, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by Kevin

She is saying it's a stupid law. And it is.

So is the marijiana law in the US.

Kevin · Jul 4, 2006, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by BRussell

But I hear Rush Limbaugh can get them to you for cheap.

Anyone can. And no, not for cheap.

voodoo · Jul 4, 2006, 03:28 PM

Dallas Austin? No, you're confusing me with someone else. I'm Sacramento San Diego.

V

Kevin · Jul 4, 2006, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by hyteckit

So is the marijiana law in the US.

I agree. But what does that have to do with Cody's post?

I don't anyone here has said otherwise.

Eug Wanker · Jul 4, 2006, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by Kevin

She is saying it's a stupid law. And it is.

She said "This is a country where a woman named Tracy Wilkinson was locked up for having prescription drugs in her urine and was sentenced to four years in prison for it."

Too bad what she said is plain wrong.

P.S. I do think that Dallas Austin should have gone to jail, although I think 4 years is too long for that.

Kevin · Jul 4, 2006, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by Eug Wanker

Too bad what she said is plain wrong.

What does that have to do with the post I was replying to?

All I said was, Cody was saying it was as stupid law. And it is.
Why you came and replied to me about her being locked up for what length is beyond me.

hyteckit · Jul 4, 2006, 03:40 PM

Kevin must have PMS. He needs some prescription drugs.

Eug Wanker · Jul 4, 2006, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by Kevin

What does that have to do with the post I was replying to?

All I said was, Cody was saying it was as stupid law. And it is.
Why you came and replied to me about her being locked up for what length is beyond me.

Because that's not all that Cody was saying. Get it now?

production_coordinator · Jul 4, 2006, 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

How did she break the law?

WTF?

She took a prescription drug - supposedly (she says she did not) - and went on a trip and you think that's breaking the law?

That's hilarious!

I guess Dubai could lock up scores of people for that reason.

I do think she broke their law. It DOES NOT MATTER that it was a prescription drug in the UK. Prescriptions are NOT universal. By having Codeine in her system... and entering the UEA... she was breaking the law.

I don't understand how you think she WASN'T breaking the law!

Kevin · Jul 4, 2006, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by Eug Wanker

Because that's not all that Cody was saying. Get it now?

Yes but it had nothing to do with what I was commenting on hon...

Get it now?

Just because she said she likes flowers one day, one shouldn't make a comment on it when not relevant.

Originally Posted by hyteckit

Kevin must have PMS. He needs some prescription drugs.

Naw, irrelevant is just an annoyance.

Doofy · Jul 4, 2006, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by production_coordinator

I do think she broke their law. It DOES NOT MATTER that it was a prescription drug in the UK. Prescriptions are NOT universal. By having Codeine in her system... and entering the UEA... she was breaking the law.

Codeine is NOT a prescription drug in the UK - its a headache pill. Nobody in their right mind would think that anyone's going to arrest them for taking one. Heck, you can probably buy a pack of Nurofen Plus at the airport.

Yes, she did break their law. But it's a stupid law and the place should be boycotted by all sensible people.

production_coordinator · Jul 4, 2006, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by Doofy

Codeine is NOT a prescription drug in the UK - its a headache pill. Nobody in their right mind would think that anyone's going to arrest them for taking one. Heck, you can probably buy a pack of Nurofen Plus at the airport.

Yes, she did break their law. But it's a stupid law and the place should be boycotted by all sensible people.

So why did Cody Dawg say it was a prescription?

If the law is stupid, you change the law... you don't just ignore the bad law or pick and choose when you want to enforce the law.

Even if it's a legal, over the counter drug in the UK... it's still not legal in the UAE. She clearly broke the law...

...also, who doesn't check their passport for an errors?

I'm just tired of people complaining about laws, but not doing anything about it. If 1/2 of the people that hated the current marijuana laws in the US voted... it would have been changed decades ago.

I'm one of those people that think the current laws work just fine...

Doofy · Jul 4, 2006, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by production_coordinator

So why did Cody Dawg say it was a prescription?

Because the article said so?

Originally Posted by production_coordinator

If the law is stupid, you change the law... you don't just ignore the bad law or pick and choose when you want to enforce the law.

Even if it's a legal, over the counter drug in the UK... it's still not legal in the UAE. She clearly broke the law...

Who the hell checks the detailed drug laws for a foreign country (in a foreign language) before getting on a plane for their vacation? Sure, you don't take coke or smack or ganj because they'll all world-recognised as being a bit illegal. But a headache pill or some meds the doctor has you on to stop you from dying?

"Oh crap - my t-shirt is made from polycotton! Is it legal to wear polycotton clothes where I'm going? I'd better spend three months with a legal team and translator, sifting through their rule books just to make sure"

Kevin · Jul 4, 2006, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by Doofy

Because the article said so?

Can't be. Then that would mean it wasn't Cody's fault. And we know in Cody threads, that is just not possible.

g/re/p · Jul 4, 2006, 06:25 PM

Ok - how about this:

How the hell does having a "passport issue" give them the right to demand a urine test??

WTF is that sh*t about???

Also - she had been to the country 40 times and all of a sudden there is a passport issue?
Sounds strange to me!

Doofy · Jul 4, 2006, 06:33 PM

http://www.communicate.vg/article_pr.php?cle=12

Worse yet, at least one of the drugs found in Lewis’s system was prescribed to her at the Dubai airport clinic

Still want to go spend your tourist dollar in the UAE?

g/re/p · Jul 4, 2006, 06:52 PM

The UAE can kiss my **s!

production_coordinator · Jul 4, 2006, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by g/re/p

Ok - how about this:

How the hell does having a "passport issue" give them the right to demand a urine test??

WTF is that sh*t about???

Also - she had been to the country 40 times and all of a sudden there is a passport issue?
Sounds strange to me!

I would say... something tipped them off. It probably started with a passport issue (and if something is wrong with your passport... it's a serious problem).

production_coordinator · Jul 4, 2006, 08:11 PM

Originally Posted by Doofy

http://www.communicate.vg/article_pr.php?cle=12

Still want to go spend your tourist dollar in the UAE?

I would spend it on the UAE before a bunch of other countries in the region. It's one of the locations I plan on visiting in the next two years... after Russia and China.

ambush · Jul 5, 2006, 07:00 AM

Fly Emirates™

Cody Dawg · Jul 5, 2006, 07:14 AM

Mr. Eug:

What part of this do you not understand?

Codeine is banned by the Arab nation, and the presence of such drugs in the body is counted as possession and carries a minimum sentence of four years imprisonment.

And if it's true that anyone can get this drug at their own airport - that they will then lock your ass up for four years or more - that's just another example of why no one should voluntarily go to that country.

Eug Wanker · 08:08 AM

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Mr. Eug:

What part of this do you not understand?

"Codeine is banned by the Arab nation, and the presence of such drugs in the body is counted as possession and carries a minimum sentence of four years imprisonment."

And if it's true that anyone can get this drug at their own airport - that they will then lock your ass up for four years or more - that's just another example of why no one should voluntarily go to that country.

Cody, SHE WAS NEVER SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS IMPRISONMENT, BECAUSE SHE WAS ACQUITTED. Is it clear to you now?

She was jailed prior to her hearing, but she was acquitted. No 4-year sentence was ever handed down to her. Stop trying to change the subject, now that it's been shown that your original post was just plain wrong:

This is a country where a woman named Tracy Wilkinson was locked up for having prescription drugs in her urine and was sentenced to four years in prison for it.

In fact, if you actually had bothered to read the article you yourself posted, you'd know that:

"I have been told that she could get four years if found guilty but I am sure she'll be released, and hopefully on Saturday."

I can only assume you were too lazy to read that article carefully and jumped to an incorrect conclusion. I prefer to believe that, rather than believe you are intentionally trying to mislead us. BTW, sometimes it may be better to look to sites other than opioids.com for your international news.

Doofy · Jul 5, 2006, 08:18 AM

But Eug, one has to ask why she was acquitted. Because their justice system is fair, or because the story ran around the 'net so fast it was likely to seriously damage the UAE's tourist dollar?

Eug Wanker · Jul 5, 2006, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by Doofy

But Eug, one has to ask why she was acquitted. Because their justice system is fair, or because the story ran around the 'net so fast it was likely to seriously damage the UAE's tourist dollar?

That's an important question to consider, although I do think that a fair ruling... in the context of their draconian laws... could have been made in this case even without heavy pressure from the UK. I also agree that it sucks she was jailed for so long (7 weeks).

However, that wasn't the point I was addressing with my previous post. The point I was making was that the original post in this thread was factually incorrect. While one may justifiably criticize that country's actions/laws/whatever, one should not need to use false information to do it.

Cody Dawg · Jul 5, 2006, 09:02 AM

The point is that...

EUG_WANKER_HAS_TO_PROVE_THAT_***HE***_IS_RIGHT.

Nevermind that the spirit of the argument is that she would have spent at least 4 years in a Dubai prison except for the public and legal outcry that came as the result of negative media attention focused on Dubai and their arbitrary "make-it-up-laws-as-we-go-along" legal system.

Doofy · Jul 5, 2006, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by Eug Wanker

That's an important question to consider, although I do think that a fair ruling... in the context of their draconian laws... could have been made in this case even without heavy pressure from the UK. I also agree that it sucks she was jailed for so long (7 weeks).

However, that wasn't the point I was addressing with my previous post. The point I was making was that the original post in this thread was factually incorrect. While one may justifiably criticize that country's actions/laws/whatever, one should not need to use false information to do it.

Since we weren't there, we don't know. It's entirely possible that she was sentenced and then acquitted (when they saw their future tourist dollar whither away).

So Cody misread the info slightly. No biggie.

Cody Dawg · Jul 5, 2006, 09:10 AM

Mrs Wilkinson is understood to have taken the painkillers on Feb 28, the day before she departed for Dubai. As she continued to suffer from back pain, she decided to cut her holiday short.

Her early departure, on March 3, led to the irregularity on the travel details contained in her passport.

Link

And I'm not the only one that read that she was sentenced to four years:

English language newspaper Gulf News suggested Ms Wilkinson was sentenced to four years in jail this week, though a British embassy official later denied this. She now faces possible sentencing on Saturday.

Link

Eug Wanker · Jul 5, 2006, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by Doofy

So Cody misread the info slightly. No biggie.

I guess YMMV, but "sentenced to 4 years in prison" seems VERY different to me than "acquitted".

Originally Posted by Doofy

It's entirely possible that she was sentenced

She was never sentenced.

Originally Posted by Cody

EUG_WANKER_HAS_TO_PROVE_THAT_***HE***_IS_RIGHT.

Indeed, cuz you were dead wrong, and even after several posts you still wouldn't admit it.

Originally Posted by Cody

And I'm not the only one that read that she was sentenced to four years:

Wow. So you're using this as justification for misreading a article (that you yourself linked) that clearly said she hadn't been sentenced yet?

Maybe if you had posted an article saying she had been sentenced as evidence in the first place, then I'd cut you some slack, but you didn't. It's clear you searched the net after the fact to support your misreading. BTW, WTF is tranzfusion.net anyway?

Oh wait, don't bother answering that...

"TranZfusion is Australia's original electronic music site. Created in 1995 by Derrick Dennis as a means for testing music streaming, TranZfusion fast became the leading electronic music site in the Southern Hemisphere.

Today we have established ourselves as a most trusted voice in electronica. With an innovative spirit and good humour, countless music enthusiasts volunteer their time to present the electronic music loving community with consistently vibrant, thoughtful and upfront information about the social scene to which they belong.

By embracing the ever changing music scene and technology of tomorrow, the future for TranZfusion has never looked better. With a committed team fuelled by outrageous passion and a never ending supply of ideas, we are intent on moving to the forefront of a new cultural movement."

Cody Dawg · Jul 5, 2006, 09:39 AM

What the hell are you talking about?

The original news article came from Gulf News and Transfuzion mentioned it. I just pointed out that OTHER PEOPLE ALSO UNDERSTOOD THAT WILKINSON WAS SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS.

You really must have a chip on your shoulder, eh? Have an impossible need to always be right?

Let's assuage your feelings, Eug. Yes, you are correct. Tracy Wilkinson was not sentenced to four years. She COULD have been sentenced to four years. She was horrifically locked up for 8 weeks and developed dysentery and stomach problems and got head lice and had to face the fact that she would be locked up for at least 4 years...

All because she took a prescription drug for relief of back pain...before she ever entered the country of Dubai.

There, do you feel better?

Good.