If you plan on traveling to the United Arab Emirates you would be well advised to leave your cold medications, prescription drugs, or anything that’s drug related at home. According to a BBC article the UAE doesn’t tolerate even the smallest amounts of drugs, even some over the counter medicines are illegal. To quote the BBC article:

“British tourist Keith Brown was sentenced to four years in prison after Dubai customs officers found a 0.003g trace of cannabis stuck to his shoe.”

The scary thing to consider here is that many people simply are not aware of how strict/serious the drug policy is in the UAE… and as a result could face serious charges if they violate these drug policies, in some cases up to four years in prison. Even more troublesome, the article says that the UAE can determine without a doubts that a person is considered to be in possession of a banned substance if it’s in their bloodstream!

The BBC article finishes by saying “The Foreign Office is advising all travelers carrying any prescription drugs to take a doctor’s letter detailing exactly why they need the medicine and the exact dose.”