A retired Navy veteran from Covington, Georgia, is dealing with an unsure authorized state of affairs in Dubai after being arrested for possessing medically prescribed CBD tablets.
Charles Wimberly, 52, was detained at a Dubai airport on September 27 when officers found the tablets throughout a safety verify as he was making ready to board a flight again to Georgia.
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Regardless of displaying his prescription for medical marijuana, authorities accused Wimberly of drug trafficking because of Dubai’s strict legal guidelines in opposition to cannabidiol (CBD) merchandise.
“They obtained me on a no-travel ban proper now, as a result of they’re principally saying I used to be trafficking medicine with my prescription medication,” Wimberly advised Channel 2’s Tom Regan (by way of YahooNews)
Continual Ache, CBD And An Surprising Arrest
Wimberly, who suffers from persistent again ache, diabetes and PTSD, had been on trip in Dubai with mates when the incident occurred. A health care provider in Georgia had prescribed the CBD and prescription-strength ibuprofen to handle his signs, which embrace extreme ache because of a pending surgical procedure.
On the day of his arrest, a routine safety screening on the airport become a nightmare for Wimberly. As he emptied his pockets, a number of tablets fell to the ground, prompting instant suspicion from airport officers.
“He stated what sort of medication is that this? I stated Ibuprofen and CBD. He stated CBD just isn’t allowed. He referred to as police and so they had been like, ‘Are you trafficking medicine?'” Wimberly recounted. Regardless of presenting his prescription, authorities deemed it inadequate and charged him with drug trafficking.
Detainment, Well being Scare And No Decision In Sight
Wimberly was taken into custody, the place he suffered a diabetic shock whereas in a holding cell. After receiving medical consideration, he was transferred to a bigger jail.
“There have been like 240 individuals in there. I stated are you able to give me one thing. My again is killing me. I can hardly stroll,” Wimberly stated.
Though he was later launched with out bond and despatched to a resort, Wimberly stays stranded in Dubai. His passport has been flagged, stopping him from leaving the nation. No courtroom date has been set to resolve his case.
“I talked to the U.S. Embassy. And a lady there advised me we won’t become involved. That is all she stated.”
Household’s Plea For Assist
Wimberly’s father, Lonnie Wimberly, a retired Military veteran from Augusta, is deeply involved about his son’s state of affairs, notably the influence it may have on his well being.
“He is diabetic, he has a severe again harm. He has PTSD points. It isn’t one thing to take calmly to disclaim his medicines. It is very regarding to me.” Lonnie stated. “The variety of tablets he had, 5 possibly, does not meet their threshold for trafficking. So, what they holding him for? It does not make sense to me.”
Diplomatic Efforts Underway
A company referred to as Detained in Dubai, which makes a speciality of helping foreigners dealing with authorized points within the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has taken up Wimberly’s case. They’re working by diplomatic channels to safe his launch, together with the U.S. Division of State, which has warned Americans concerning the dangers of touring to Dubai with even prescribed CBD merchandise.
Wimberly stays hopeful that prosecutors will conclude that there was no intent to distribute and that he’ll solely face a high-quality earlier than being allowed to return house. However the state of affairs is taking a toll on his psychological well being.
“It is scary. My PTSD is at one other degree,” Wimberly stated.
In the meantime, Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff’s workplace has confirmed that it’ll start investigating the matter this week.
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