Hyderabad, 28 July 2025:
A 24-year-old woman from Hyderabad has been arrested and imprisoned in Dubai after authorities allegedly found illegal drugs in a bag she was carrying. The woman, Ameena Begum, a resident of Konda Reddy Guda in Kishan Bagh, had reportedly travelled to Dubai on May 18, 2025, after being promised a job at a beauty parlour by a local travel agent.
According to a letter sent by her mother, Sultana Begum, to India’s Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar, Ameena was arrested at the Dubai International Airport upon arrival, when officials discovered narcotics in one of her bags.
The family alleges that Ameena was unaware of the contents of the bag and was simply asked to deliver it to someone in Dubai. From jail, Ameena reportedly contacted her family, maintaining her innocence and pleading for help.
Sultana Begum has made an urgent appeal to the Ministry of External Affairs, requesting swift diplomatic intervention and legal assistance. The family has also contacted the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Indian Consulate in Dubai in hopes of securing her release.
Adding to the distress, Sultana mentioned that Ameena’s five-year-old son, Mohd Zeeshan, has fallen ill due to the trauma of separation from his mother. “He keeps crying for her and is now unwell,” the letter read.
The family suspects that Ameena may have been unknowingly used as a drug mule and has demanded an investigation into the local agent who arranged the overseas job.
What’s Next?
Legal experts believe cases involving alleged drug trafficking can carry severe penalties in the UAE. However, if Ameena can prove she was unaware of the contents of the bag and was manipulated, the Indian authorities may be able to work with local legal channels to ensure a fair investigation.
As the case garners attention, human rights groups and legal aid organizations are being urged to step in to protect vulnerable job seekers from exploitation and to assist in ensuring justice for those wrongfully imprisoned abroad.