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Radio 1 DJ gets four years in Dubai prison for cannabis charges

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The longstanding BBC Radio 1 DJ Grooverider has been sentenced to serve four years in a Dubai prison after he was caught flying into the country in the possession of 2.16g of marijuana and explicit pornography.

Grooverider, real name Raymond Bingham, has been an instrumental part in Britain's dance music culture, being hailed by many as the 'Godfather' of drum and bass as well as gaining respect for the BBC radio show he has co-hosted with Fabio for a number of years.

Many believed Grooverider could have been granted a 'royal pardon' due to his notoriety as a world famous DJ, but it seems that the UAE are maintaining their 'no tolerance' policy on drugs following the controversial sentencing of a man caught with a 0.03g of marijuana in the tread of his shoe earlier this month.
mattbrawn

10 responses // Radio 1 DJ gets four years in Dubai prison for cannabis charges

  • http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7234786.stm
    No tolerance, indeed. I think it's part of being a responsible traveler to know about the laws of your destination, though. Including (or especially) drug laws. Just because you're famous doesn't mean that you should be allowed to have a little bit of drugs on you. While the UAE drugs laws may seem strict to people in the UK, they should still be respected. Be warned, travelers to the UAE.
    abbym0308
  • Welcome to Planet Stupid, you have arrived.
    VoyagerFilms
  • http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/music/newsid_7252000/...
    The BBC have released the details on their site:

    Bingham claims the drugs were in the pocket of a pair of trousers and he had forgotten about them.

    He'll serve the minimum sentence for possession in the United Arab Emirates but his agents have told Newsbeat they hope to get him released.

    A Radio 1 spokesman said: "Grooverider has paid a very high price for a serious mistake."
    mattbrawn
  • wack
    thafuture
  • He is lucky it happend in UAE..
    The same mistake in Singapore would have cost more... death!
    gaura
  • i'm not sure about anyone else but i wouldn't really travel to another country with a load of drugs on my person. what was the "explicit porn" about? we're not talking zoo here are we?
    poppyshafto
  • He is part of my beloved Drum and Bass community. He is well respected both stateside as well as his homeland of England.

    Although the lack of respect he had is evident as his quote was along the likes of him not even getting ticketed if he were back home; he was a guest of the Rave night the local promotors flew him out for. The local promotor has since turned his back on Grooverider; declaring that he has lost money since he didn't play.

    Small price to pay when you are doing an already illegal in islamic law event.

    At least he is not going to get flogged, caned, or worse yet his hands cut off at the chop chop area.

    Celebrities, stars, drug users need to get their head out of the clouds. Laws pertain to ALL OF US. Not just the ones with top billing at venues.
    jennabean
  • This is one of the most ridiculous things i have every heard. Four years in prison for having 2 grams of marijuana?!!! Wtf is this world coming to? Has the authorities nothing better to do than crack down on pot smokers? When will people realize that WEED IS NOT WRONG! It doesn't kill any people a year, people don't become addicts and steal, and you won't go insane by smoking it. If so much money wasn't spent on crap like this maybe more things in the world would change for the better.
    thisisonelongname
  • I have a friend who was locked up there last year for the same thing. The smallest amount got him a full sentence and we're still trying to get him out. Dubai may be one of the fastest growing country's today, but if there laws are putting people behind bars for years for a few poppy seeds from my bagel or some shake that could barely make smoke, NO ONE is gonna go. I understand not everyone who travels there eats food with poppy seeds or smokes. But DAMN!! Giveth us FREE!!
    GenevieveNixon
  • why does everyone hate on mj?




    its NEVER killed anyone
    Dut
    • Dut
    • 3 months ago

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