Psychiatrist arrested in drugs probe

A psychiatrist and three pharmacy staff have been detained on suspicion of dealing in prescription drugs.

All four were taken into custody last week in Abu Dhabi after a pharmacy delivery man was caught allegedly delivering drugs to the psychiatrist without a prescription.

Police said the psychiatrist had been ordering large amounts of drugs for his clients without filling out the proper paperwork. They added they had been working on the case for several months.

After arresting the psychiatrist, who is Iraqi, and the Indian delivery man, officers also detained the manager of the pharmacy, who is Syrian, and an Indian pharmacy assistant. All four appeared before prosecutors last week.

An official familiar with the case said they are likely to be charged with selling drugs without a prescription and possession of drugs without a licence.

The pharmacy is located in Abu Dhabi city centre, near to the psychiatrist’s office.

The official said police launched an investigation after a psychiatric patient was taken to hospital after overdosing on a mood-enhancing drug.

The owner of the pharmacy, who is married to the manager, has appealed to prosecutors to release his wife on bail as they have children.

The family of the pharmacist’s assistant, who is originally from Kerala, is also seeking his release as his wife is expecting a baby.

sean@7days.ae