French influencers Océane El Himer and Léa Mary held in custody in Dubai
The two French influencers were held in custody on 22 September in Dubai for possession and use of narcotics.
Two French influencers arrested in Dubai over narcotics
Océane El Himer and Léa Mary, two French influencers, were held in custody on Monday 22 September in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, according to concordant sources reported by BFM TV. The charge is for "possession and consumption of a narcotic substance".
Océane El Himer became known as a contestant on the reality television programme Les Marseillais and currently has more than one million followers on Instagram. Léa Mary, a former participant in Les Princes et les Princesses de l'amour, has more than two million followers on the same platform.
The conduct in question is subject to extremely severe penalties in the emirate. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs recalls on its website that "the importation, consumption, production or possession of narcotics or substances considered to be narcotics, even in infinitesimal quantities, are absolutely prohibited and severely punished" in the United Arab Emirates.
According to the same ministry, "the consumption or possession of narcotic substances, regardless of the quantity held, is punishable by a minimum sentence of two years' imprisonment, which can be increased to fifteen years for aggravating circumstances or reoffending". Persons facilitating drug use by providing premises face five years' imprisonment, whilst traffickers face capital punishment.
Source: BFM TV