A Georgia man, Charles Wimberly, 52, is facing drug trafficking accusations after being stopped by airport security on September 27. He was returning home from a vacation in the United Arab Emirates when security discovered six pills of his prescription medication. Wimberly uses maximum-strength ibuprofen and CBD tablets to manage back injury and PTSD.
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Wimberly’s back injury originated from a helicopter accident during his 21-year US Navy career. He was getting ready for back surgery in November, as reported by the Daily Mail. He had thought that his prescribed CBD medication, based on his online research, would be permitted in the UAE. However, airport security considered it illegal, resulting in his arrest on drug trafficking charges.
His situation worsened when Wimberly was in jail, and his diabetes medicine was confiscated. This caused him to fall into a diabetic coma. Deprived of medication for both his diabetes and chronic pain, Wimberly’s health took a severe turn. In addition, being in jail has had an emotional and physical impact on him as it has triggered his PTSD.
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The prosecutors have reduced the charges to misdemeanor drug possession after a drug test confirmed that the medication was for personal use. However, he is still in Dubai. His passport has been flagged, preventing him from leaving the country, and he is awaiting a court date that could take months or years to come.
Detained in Dubai CEO Radha Stirling warns that Wimberly’s health will continue to deteriorate if he is not released soon, as he risks missing his critical surgery in Georgia. In Dubai, even defendants found not guilty face months of waiting before they can leave the country.