British Footballer Arrested in Dubai Over CBD Oil – Forced to Sign Arabic Confession!
West Londoner Faces Harsh Drug Charges Abroad
Billy Hood, 24, from Notting Hill, west London, was arrested in Dubai on January 31 shortly after moving to the country. The semi-professional footballer, who played for Kensington and Ealing Borough FC, claims police forced him to sign a confession in Arabic – a language he doesn’t speak.
Allegations Spark Outrage as Hood Endures Isolation Cell
Billy told campaign group Detained in Dubai that officers burst into his home and car unannounced. He was taken to a police station and held in an isolation cell for 14 days, deprived of basic hygiene products. The oil in question was reportedly left by a friend visiting from England two weeks earlier.
“Forced and coerced confessions are commonplace in Dubai,” said Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, representing Billy’s family.
UK Government Steps In Amid Severe Sentencing Threats
This month, a Dubai court convicted Hood of drug trafficking with intent to supply—a crime sentenced with harsh penalties, including death. CBD oil, legal and popular in the UK for easing pain and anxiety, is treated very differently in Dubai. Even tiny amounts of illegal substances can land offenders behind bars for at least four years.
Billy’s family is desperate for intervention from the UK and UAE governments. His mother Breda revealed the emotional toll:
“I have hidden myself away, crying and crying when I imagine what our sweet boy is going through. It is the worst stress I’ve ever been through and I feel helpless.”
In a statement to his lawyers, Billy insisted, “I have always had a zero-tolerance on any drugs or illegal substances. For me to be accused of promoting and selling drugs in a country that has the same beliefs and values as me is very upsetting as it affects my future.”
Foreign Office Offers Consular Support
The UK Foreign Office confirmed it is providing consular support to Billy Hood as the case unfolds. With the threat of severe punishment looming, the family’s fight for justice continues.
