Reports have emerged that Love Island star Kaz Crossley has been arrested in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on suspicion of drug offences.
The 27-year-old British reality star was reportedly detained at Abu Dhabi airport while in transit to Thailand, where she planned to carry out voluntary work.
She has since been moved to a Dubai prison, where she is likely to be held for at least three months, and could face a fine of up to £20,000 for allegedly breaking the UAE’s strict drug laws.
According to an insider, Crossley’s name raised a red flag when her passport was checked in the UAE’s capital. In 2020, she was filmed appearing to snort lines of white powder in Dubai during a trip that saw hordes of influencers flocking to the Gulf party city to escape Covid-19 restrictions in the UK, claiming they were there for work (see below).
The British Embassy in Dubai has confirmed that they are in contact with the local authorities regarding the arrest of a British national in the UAE. However, the authorities in Dubai have not yet confirmed the reason for Crossley’s arrest.
Dubai has recently relaxed its drugs laws, with first-time offenders given a minimum of three months in prison and a fine of between £4,559 and £22,799.
However, previously, offenders would have faced a minimum of four years in prison for any drug use. After serving jail time, suspects are deported to their home state and banned from returning to the UAE.
The influencer’s situation is not unique, as human rights groups have predicted that thousands of Britons have been arrested and hundreds jailed in recent years due to the UAE’s strict laws.
The Detained in Dubai group has stated that the UAE’s laws are highly contradictory and often lead to a culture clash in the Muslim Gulf.
Crossley’s arrest serves as a reminder that tourists and expats should be aware of the laws in the UAE before visiting or living there.
Despite the country’s efforts to become more liberal, many laws remain highly conservative and can result in severe punishment for offenders. Visitors should be careful not to break any laws while in the UAE and should always respect local customs and traditions.
