ABU DHABI // A police search that found drugs in a man’s wallet was not legal, a court heard yesterday.
Emirati B M, 21, is appealing against a 13-month jail term and Dh20,000 fine after being found guilty of driving under the influence of drugs.
His lawyer, Ali Al Abbadi, told the Appeals Court on Tuesday that the police inspection was “invalid and illegitimate”.
Mr Al Abbadi said the search authorised was “preventive”, which allows the police to search for arms or dangerous tools but did not permit them to check his client’s wallet for drugs.
He said the drugs were not found in his client’s presence and his client had not admitted possessing them.
Mr Al Abbadi also claimed a urine sample was taken forcefully from his client without a permit.
A verdict was scheduled for October 8.
hdajani@thenational.ae