Boxes of smuggled Cipralex have been seized in Dubai. DUBAI POLICE

Dubai Customs officers have seized 171,600 restricted pills and medication smuggled into the emirate through air shipment. According to Dubai Customs, the first shipment consisted of three parcels of Cipralex totaling 96,600 pills. Cipralex, a controlled medication in the UAE, is used to treat depression and anxiety disorders. Its misuse can lead to dependence and possible overdose. Customs officers also stopped an attempt to smuggle 75,000 capsules of the prohibited drug Pregabalin. Dubai Customs said it seized three parcels of the Pregabalin weighing a total of 64kg. Pregabalin is used to treat epilepsy, anxiety and nerve pain, but is misused along with a combination of other illegal narcotics. The UAE has a zero-tolerance policy for recreational use of drugs. The UAE law criminalises the production, import, export, transport, buying, selling, possessing, storing of narcotic and psychotropic substances. It is illegal to possess or use controlled drugs without a doctor's prescription. The possession and use of illegal drugs is considered a serious crime punishable with jail time.  ICA/Expat Media
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