Breaking: 52 year old disabled Navy Veteran and PTSD sufferer faces years in Dubai prison over prescription CBD and Ibuprofen to combat chronic pain. NGO, Detained in Dubai, is calling on his representatives to get involved.
Charles Wimberly, from Covington, Georgia, comes from a strong military background. His father served in the US military and his brother in the Air Force. Sadly, Mr Wimberly suffers a degenerative joint disease of the spine that requires ongoing care and medication, including spinal injections. He was scheduled for surgery in November with an expected six month long recovery time, so was quite excited to go on a pre-surgery holiday to the UAE.
After arriving on the 21st of September, Charles filled his six days abroad with full day tours. From 8am - 10pm, he saw all the tourist sites while managing his pain with prescriptions. On the 27th of September, the fun was over and Charles headed to DXB for his long flight home, but he was pulled aside by airport security when he beeped going through pre-departure screening. The staff found his prescription Ibuprofen and CBD oil and despite him presenting his prescriptions, he was locked up. “It’s every tourist’s nightmare”, explains Crisis Manager Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai who is helping Mr Wimberly.
“Charles was locked up and deprived of his prescription medication as well as meds to manage his diabetes and sleep apnea causing him to suffer a diabetic episode. He’s a good man who does not partake in drugs (as evidenced in his medical history). 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”.
Mr Wimberly has been granted bail but cannot leave the country. “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”, adds Stirling, “the process is the punishment”.
Mr Wimberly told Stirling today, “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”.
Ms Stirling was given thanks by Ohio Residents Joseph and Joshua Lopez who were freed from Dubai two weeks ago with the help of Detained in Dubai and Senator JD Vance. “We’ve worked with a number of US representatives to help bring home Americans facing unfair prosecution in the United Arab Emirates”.
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More and more cases involving US citizens in the UAE have come to light recently. The Lopez brothers faced prison after being drugged and robbed at a yacht party. Tierra Allen was targeted by a rental car company, Elizabeth de los Santos for lightly touching a security officer and Peter Clark, for having residual cannabis in his bloodstream that was consumed legally in Las Vegas weeks before travel. “JD Vance’s diligence and care was of paramount importance for our clients, air force Veteran Joseph Lopez and his brother Joshua. Without that kind of support, the brothers would likely still be there.
“We will be reaching out to Charles' representatives first thing Tuesday morning. We need to get this long serving Veteran home for his surgery”.
Charles and his daughter, Candis.
