A young individual hailing from Merseyside faced severe consequences in the Middle East after allegedly being found in possession of 50g of Class A drugs. Mia O’Brien, aged 23, was apprehended in Dubai last October with cocaine valued at around £2,500. She was subsequently convicted in July, with details of her situation coming to light only recently.
Mia’s mother, Danielle McKenna, disclosed the circumstances leading to her daughter’s ordeal. Mia, who aspired to pursue a legal career, traveled to Dubai last year for what her mother described as a misguided reason. According to Danielle, Mia made an error in judgment when visiting a friend and the friend’s undisclosed boyfriend in Dubai, where the unfortunate incident occurred. Reportedly, Mia funded her own trip without any external sponsorship.
The legal proceedings revealed that Mia, along with two others including her friend, was charged with drug trafficking. Although it remains unclear if the friend and her partner were convicted or released, Mia, who pleaded not guilty, was accused of drug supply during a hearing conducted entirely in Arabic on July 25. She was handed a substantial fine of £100,000 before being transferred to Dubai Central Prison, notorious for its harsh conditions including overcrowding, violence, and unsanitary environments.
Inside the prison, Mia is enduring harsh conditions, sharing a cell with six others and sleeping on a floor mattress due to overcrowding. Her mother expressed deep concern for her daughter’s well-being, emphasizing the horrendous situation Mia is facing. Despite the challenges, the family is optimistic about the possibility of an appeal that could allow Mia to serve her sentence in her home country.
Danielle initiated a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe to cover legal expenses, aiming to support Mia during this challenging time. However, the campaign was shut down for violating GoFundMe’s terms and conditions related to fundraising for legal defenses in certain criminal cases. Undeterred, Danielle set up a new fundraising platform and encouraged direct donations to support Mia’s cause.
As the family navigates this difficult situation, they appreciate the support received and remain hopeful for a positive resolution for Mia, a promising law student with no prior legal issues.