British Student Faces 25-Year Sentence in Dubai Over Cocaine

British student Mia O’Brien, a 24-year-old law student from Huyton, Merseyside, is facing a potential sentence of 25 years in a Dubai prison after being arrested for possession of cocaine. Reports indicate that she may not be released until the year 2050 due to the severity of the charges. O’Brien was allegedly apprehended in October 2023 with 50 grams of Class A drugs, according to her mother, Danielle McKenna.

While in custody at the Al Barsha detention centre, O’Brien shared her experiences with a fellow inmate, who has since spoken out about the dire conditions of the facility. The inmate revealed that O’Brien confessed to using cocaine at a party but maintained that she never intended to deal drugs. The woman remarked, “If what she’s saying is true and all she has done is a line of cocaine, 25 years is a horrifically long sentence.”

Details surrounding O’Brien’s arrest suggest a complicated situation involving friends and a boyfriend. According to the inmate, O’Brien’s friend, who was also present during the incident, was released while O’Brien remained in custody because the drugs were found in her system. “Mia thinks she must have stitched her up to get home,” the cellmate added, shedding light on the tangled circumstances of the case.

Conditions in the Al Barsha detention centre have been described as “vile,” with reports of unsanitary facilities and a lack of light in the cells. After her time there, O’Brien was transferred to Al Awir jail, which has also been criticized for its harsh living conditions.

Prior to her arrest, O’Brien was pursuing her studies at Liverpool with aspirations of becoming a lawyer or solicitor. Her mother expressed deep concern over her daughter’s situation, stating, “Mia feels she has destroyed her life as she wanted to be a lawyer or solicitor.” McKenna emphasized that her daughter is not a drug user and had never been in trouble before this incident.

The emotional toll of the situation is palpable, as O’Brien’s dreams of a legal career now hang in the balance. McKenna noted that communication with her daughter is limited, but she continues to support her through this challenging time. The family and supporters hope for a resolution that can alleviate the burden of such a lengthy sentence for what appears to be a single mistake.