A British chef, Luke Tully, experienced a harrowing ordeal after being imprisoned in the United Arab Emirates for nearly two years. Tully, 47, was wrongfully accused of drug offenses stemming from a misunderstood text message. His life took a dramatic turn when he was arrested in 2020, just two years after moving to Dubai to open a pair of smokehouse restaurants.
Tully’s troubles began when he casually communicated with a friend linked to the nightlife scene. The friend, who was apprehended with cocaine, led police to Tully after they misinterpreted a message about a restaurant reservation as potential drug-related communication. The police forcefully entered his home, subjecting him to violent treatment and intimidation.
“They kicked the door off the hinges and came rushing in,” Tully recalled. “There were about 12 of them and they weren’t in uniform. They looked like Al-Qaeda, so I thought I was about to be kidnapped.”
Following the aggressive arrest, Tully was detained for 19 months in two prisons known for their notorious conditions. According to Tully, the first prison was overcrowded, housing approximately 200 inmates in a facility designed for 130. “The people I was banged up with were next level filth – rapists and paedophiles,” he described, offering a glimpse into the grim realities of his imprisonment.
Despite testing negative for drugs, Tully faced serious charges, including the supply of a Class A drug. He endured mental and physical abuse from prison officials, who threatened him with severe consequences. “They said I was being charged with supplying a Class A drug even though there wasn’t any evidence,” Tully explained.
The situation took a turn after three weeks when he finally spoke with the British embassy. The representative delivered grim news: if convicted, Tully faced the death penalty or life imprisonment. “I took the earpiece off and walked out of the room. That was the last thing I needed to hear,” he stated.
After nearly two years, the case against Tully collapsed while he was being held in a second facility in Abu Dhabi. He was ultimately released and deported back to the UK. Reflecting on his experience, Tully remarked, “I don’t regret going to Dubai because I learned a lot about myself. But people travelling there need to be aware of the dangers.”
The influx of expatriates and celebrities in Dubai has contributed to a burgeoning drug scene. Tully noted that cocaine is now widely available, with prices reaching £300 per gram, significantly higher than the street value in the UK. As a result, he warns that innocent visitors can easily find themselves entangled in serious legal troubles simply by being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“There is a lot of cocaine, but at the lower end, there is a big crystal meth and heroin scene,” Tully explained. “Dubai is the criminal hub of the world. Criminals on the run go to Dubai now, and some of them are protected because money talks over there.”
Tully’s experience serves as a cautionary tale for others considering travel to Dubai. “My message to anyone offered drugs in Dubai is, don’t accept them and don’t let yourself be anywhere near them – it’s that simple.” His story highlights the complexities and risks associated with life in a city where the reputation for luxury can quickly descend into a nightmare for those caught in the legal system.
