But the UAE authorities do not deviate from their strict rules which stipulate imprisonment for a minimum of four years followed by deportation for those convicted of having drugs in their possession.

People convicted of the more serious offence of drugs trafficking can face capital punishment, although executions rarely take place in the desert Gulf nation.

With Dubai a favourite holiday spot, dozens of Westerners have been arrested upon arrival in recent years, according to a diplomatic source familiar with cases of people caught with small amounts of narcotics.

One such visitor was British dance DJ Grooverider, who was arrested last November for possession of 2.16 grammes (0.076 ounces) of marijuana upon arrival in Dubai.

He had been due to perform a club gig in the emirate, which is known as one of the party capitals in the Middle East.

Grooverider was quoted in local press reports on January 28 as telling a court he had forgotten he had a small amount of the drug in his pocket. His case was adjourned until later this month.

"There are over a million British tourists a year coming to the UAE," said Simon Goldsmith, spokesman at the British Embassy in Dubai. "We have a travel advice making it clear that the penalty is very severe" for drug possession.