Watch what's in your pockets when traveling out of the U.S.

[Ken y Leidys 20]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/worl...icle3395661.ece

The Radio 1 DJ Grooverider has been sentenced to a four-year prison term in Dubai after admitting to carrying cannabis into the country.

Grooverider – whose real name is Raymond Bingham – told judges at previous court appearance: “The drugs were in my possession and I forgot I had them in my trousers.”

He was convicted yesterday and given the minimum sentence for drug possession in the United Arab Emirates, where deeply conservative laws sometimes collide with the liberal values of the millions of tourists who visit each year.

Grooverider’s lawyers had tried to argue in his defence that he was unaware of the laws.

The 40-year-old DJ, who co-hosts the weekly BBC Radio 1 drum-and bass programme Fabio and Grooverider, was arrested at Dubai airport on November 23, with 2.16 grams of cannabis in his pockets just hours before he was due to play a sold-out show at a popular nightclub.

“I just want this to end and to never come back. It was a small amount. Back home I would not even get prosecuted,” he previously stated, in a published interview from jail.

A BBC spokesman said: “He made a serious mistake and is paying a very high price.” Grooverider has been off the air since his arrest last November.

Although not officially suspended by Radio 1 it is understood that the BBC is not paying him a salary, as the DJ is paid for each show he presents. Bingham has provided his own legal representation.

Drugs are strictly banned in the United Arab Emirates, however there have been several high-profile cases of foreigners being jailed for smuggling small amounts into the country.

A British tourist, Keith Brown, spent four years in jail for the possession of 0.002 grams of cannabis. Bert Tatham, a Canadian UN official who advised the Afghan government was also jailed for carrying 0.5 grams of hashish and two poppy seeds into the country.

The rulers of Dubai later issued Mr Tatham a rare pardon, deporting him to Canada. Highlighting a new crackdown on drug smuggling, the UAE recently installed new drug-sensitive detecting equipment in its airports.

Grooverider, who made his name DJing at illegal warehouse parties, is recognised as a pioneer of the abrasive style of dance music known as drum and bass.

He is a recording artist and record label owner in his own right and an in-demand DJ on the international club circuit. His colleague Fabio will continue to present the Radio 1 show in his absence.

The former Radio 1 DJ Kevin Greening died of a heart attack last year, aged 44, after taking large quantities of cocaine, ecstasy and the drug GHB.

[Jasman0717 9]

Not a wise thing to do over there

[peejay 327]

His chickens came to roost.

For some reason the wisdom of Forrest Gump comes to mind. Do we need a hint?

[Ban Hammer 13,573]

His chickens came to roost.

For some reason the wisdom of Forrest Gump comes to mind. Do we need a hint?

dumber than a box of chocolates?

[Alex & Rachel 78]

You have to be really, really careful in Dubai.

The man found with the trace amount of cannabis on his shoe has since been pardoned, but others haven't been so lucky - given the many warnings issued to tourists it's hard to believe that someone was this stupid.

[peejay 327]

Jeez...hasn't everyone seen the movie "Midnight Express"? Four years ain't sh*t compared to what can happen in some countries around the world.

No Dorothy...this ain't Kansas anymore. Believe it or find out the hard way.

Not to mention that 4 years in some of these shitholes around the world are damned near worst than life without parol in the USA.

No...the USA isn't going to launch the Marines to rescue American druggies from foreign dungeons. UR on your own. Tough titty.

[panamania79 2]

Jeez...hasn't everyone seen the movie "Midnight Express"? Four years ain't sh*t compared to what can happen in some countries around the world.

No Dorothy...this ain't Kansas anymore. Believe it or find out the hard way.

Not to mention that 4 years in some of these shitholes around the world are damned near worst than life without parol in the USA.

No...the USA isn't going to launch the Marines to rescue American druggies from foreign dungeons. UR on your own. Tough titty.

.....said the kitty when the milk went dry.

[Ken y Leidys 20]

UR on your own. Tough titty.

That's the funniest thing I've heard in a loong time!

[garya505 2]

This is your brain on drugs

[pedroh 21]

This is your brain on drugs

you become emo?

[sereia 0]

. its a big hit for the drum and bass scene to lose such an awesome dj. pretty dumb to forget you had weed in your pocket though! *knock knock

Edited March 3, 2008 by sereia

[greeneyedgirlfl 0]

“I just want this to end and to never come back. It was a small amount. Back home I would not even get prosecuted,” he previously stated, in a published interview from jail.

Well, you're not at home...DUH!!!

[sj5 4]

“The drugs were in my possession and I forgot I had them in my trousers.”

He think taking drugs in other country is okay

[Jamie76 0]

Try smuggling drugs into Thailand. You get an all inclusive stay at the luxurious Bangkok Hilton. Depending on the amount, you could be looking at life....or the death penalty.