R&B Music Producer Faces Drug Trial In Dubai
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Posted: June 26, 2006
The 34-year-old producer who crafted beats for Michael Jackson, Madonna, TLC and others was arrested in possession of the banned drug at Dubai's airport May 19, Austin's lawyer Qays Hatem al-Zu'bi told The Associated Press in Dubai.
Dubai's police did not release details of Austin's arrest, which only emerged after Austin's first hearing last week at the Dubai Court of First Instance. Austin is due to appear at the court again on July 2, al-Zu'bi said.
Al-Zu'bi said the producer is charged with possessing illegal drugs for personal use, not with smuggling or trafficking in narcotics.
A police official who spoke on condition of anonymity said Austin was caught with an unspecified amount of cocaine in his possession.
Press reports in Dubai indicate that Austin was traveling to British model Naomi Campbell's birthday party at Dubai's flashy Burj al-Arab hotel when he was arrested at the airport. But al-Zu'bi disputed those reports, saying Austin came to Dubai to attend music concerts.
The Emirates, in the past, has sentenced people to several years in prison for drug possession.
According to an Internet profile on the producer, Austin hails from Atlanta, where he founded the Dallas Austin Foundation, which aims to train urban youths for careers in the music and entertainment industries. Georgia Gov. Sunny Perdue asked Austin to sit on a special commission that sought to lure entertainment businesses to the state.
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