DUBAI, Sept 15: The Dubai Court of Appeal has overturned a 10-year prison sentence handed to a 35-year-old Filipina previously convicted of smuggling cannabis extract into the UAE.

In its final ruling, delivered in open court, the appellate panel stated:

"The court rules in the presence of the appellant, accepting the appeal in form and in substance, annulling the contested judgment, and ruling anew to acquit the appellant of all charges brought against her, and to confiscate the seized narcotic substance."

The case dates back to December 15, 2024, when customs officers at Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 3 flagged the defendant’s luggage during routine screening. An inspection revealed 20 vape cartridges concealed inside pancake mix packages. Forensic analysis confirmed that the cartridges contained 20 grams of cannabis extract, a banned substance under Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021 on Combating Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances.

In March 2025, the Dubai Criminal Court sentenced the defendant to 10 years in prison, imposed a fine of AED 100,000, and ordered her deportation following the completion of her sentence. The court dismissed her claims of ignorance, concluding that the possession and importation of narcotics were clearly established by the evidence.

However, the defendant’s legal team appealed the ruling, arguing that she had no prior criminal record, no intent to smuggle drugs, and may have been unaware of the presence of the substance in her luggage. The defense cited Article 96 of the federal narcotics law, which provides for reduced or alternative sentencing under special circumstances, especially for first-time offenders.

The appeal memorandum emphasized the defendant’s social and familial ties in the UAE and argued that the quantity of narcotics involved did not indicate intent to traffic for commercial purposes.

After reviewing the case file, hearing the defense’s arguments, and reassessing the evidence, the Court of Appeal ruled that there was insufficient proof that the defendant knowingly imported or possessed the narcotic substance. The court consequently overturned the conviction, acquitted the defendant of all charges, and upheld only the confiscation of the seized material.