Radio One DJ Grooverider was yesterday sentenced to 4 years in prison in Dubai. The Protoype Recordings boss and legendary Drum & Bass pioneer has been incarcerated in the United Arab Emirates since November 23rd after being arrested at Dubai airport with 2.15 grams of Cannabis on his way to play a gig at the city's Chi event at the Lodge nightclub.

Grooverider – whose real name is Raymond Bingham – told judges at previous court appearance: “The drugs were in my possession and I forgot I had them in my trousers.” He was convicted yesterday and given the minimum 4-year sentence for drug possession in the UAE, a country where hardline conservative laws are tentatively balanced against the millions of Western tourists who visit the city each year.

Groove's lawyers had tried to argue in his defence that he was unaware of the laws. A Dubai customs official said in a statement read to the court "I searched him and he had nothing illegal on him, but when I searched in his bag, I found marijuana in a plastic bag inside a pocket of his jeans. When I asked him about it he said it was marijuana and that it was for his personal use and he had forgotten it was in his trousers". Drugs are strictly banned in the United Arab Emirates, however there have been several high-profile cases of foreigners being jailed for smuggling small amounts into the country.

British tourist, Keith Brown, spent four years in jail for the possession of 0.002 grams of cannabis. Bert Tatham, a Canadian UN official who advised the Afghan government was also jailed for carrying 0.5 grams of hashish and two poppy seeds into the country. The rulers of Dubai later issued Mr Tatham a rare pardon, deporting him to Canada. Highlighting a new crackdown on drug smuggling, the UAE recently installed new drug-sensitive detecting equipment in its airports.

Groove now has two weeks to appeal against the verdict. One hope is that Groove will gain a pardon as Grammy Winning R&B producer Dallas Austin did when he was arrested in 2006 with 1.26g of cocaine. Meanwhile his long time partner in crime Fabio will continue to present the duo's weekly show on Radio One. Mainstream media coverage of the case has been somewhat sparse, despite his high profile as a Radio One DJ. Groove's absence has also caused him to cancel countless DJ gigs causing problems for promoters all over the world.
 
There have been many Online campaign groups on sites such as Facebook and Myspace and they have seen huge support, however it is unlikely this will have any effect on the law in Dubai, where he is no doubt being used as an example to others. All at Drum & Bass Arena wish Grooverider our full support in this difficult time. We also want to hear your views on the great Grooverider. Send us your comments on your favourite moments whether it be a favourite set, a favourite track or even one of many hilarious moments from his Radio One show with Fabio! Groove has been smashing the UK dance scene since the late 80's so there should be plenty to choose from! Email your comments and views to supportrider@breakbeat.co.uk

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