Navy veteran facing years in Dubai prison for travelling with his prescription medication

A Navy veteran is facing years in a Dubai prison over for chronic pain.

Charles Wimberly, 52, was detained at DXB airport on September 27 after officers found prescription Ibuprofen and CBD oil in his possession. The disabled navy veteran, who suffers from PTSD, uses the medication to manage pain from a degenerative joint disease of the spine. Charles, from Covington, Georgia, arrived in Dubai on September 21 and filled his six days abroad with day tours and sightseeing.

But when preparing to board the long flight home he experienced "every tourist's nightmare" and beeped as he was scanned through a pre-departure screening. This is where airport staff found his medication and, despite him presenting prescriptions for the pills, he was locked up.

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Charles is now facing a three-year sentence for "trafficking" his own prescription meds and may miss a necessary operation in the US because of his time in the Dubai prison. Crisis Manager Radha Stirling, who is helping the stranded traveller, said: "Charles was locked up and deprived of his prescription medication as well as meds to manage his diabetes and sleep apnoea causing him to suffer a diabetic episode.

"He’s a good man who does not partake in drugs. All he wanted was one last holiday before his debilitating surgery. Charles had unfortunately been provided with some misinformation on the internet in respect of prescription medicine. He thought he was abiding by the law but is now facing a possible 3+ year sentence for ‘trafficking’ his own prescription meds.

"If he is not released imminently, he will miss his surgery in Georgia and the UAE will not provide him with any medical treatment. If he stays in Dubai, things will become very bad very quickly for Charles. His family, especially his daughter, are extremely concerned for his health and welfare".

He has since been granted bail but told he cannot leave the country and is instead having to pay for hotel rooms. Ms Stirling, who is CEO of Detained in Dubai, added: “This leaves him forced to stay in hotels while he awaits prosecution. Charles can not afford the unexpected hotel bills, medical or legal bills. For many the process is the punishment. We will be reaching out to Charles' representatives first thing Tuesday morning. We need to get this long-serving Veteran home for his surgery".

The veteran comes from a family of military personnel, with his father serving in the US military and his brother in the Air Force. Charles' Dubai ordeal has left him unable to stop shaking as his PTSD hits new highs. He said: "My PTSD is at a very high level right now.. I'm so tired of crying.. I can't stop shaking. My daughter is so upset… I feel like I've let everyone down".