KIWIS WARNED OF DRUG DANGER

Prime Minister Helen Clark says the case of Miriam Shafeek, the
Christchurch student arrested in Dubai on drugs charges, should serve
as a lesson to young people.

New Zealand diplomats were doing all they could, Clark said, denying
claims by Shafeek's mother that the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and
Trade (Mfat) had failed to help when she contacted them.

"I'm always very concerned when a Kiwi is picked up in another country
on drugs charges," Clark said yesterday.

"There are countries where drugs charges carry extremely serious
penalties, up to and including death. So the clear message is that
no-one should ever put themselves in such a position."

Shafeek's lawyer said he expected his client would serve a week in
prison and then be deported to New Zealand.

Shafeek, 21, was arrested last Thursday after being found with 0.2g of
marijuana while on a 10-hour stopover at Dubai Airport, en route to
New Zealand.

Her lawyer in Dubai, Wahid Ali, said he had spoken to the public
prosecutor there and, although no assurances had been given, he
thought she would receive a very small jail sentence before being
transferred to New Zealand.

He said she was in a good physical condition and was not being
mistreated.

Ali said Shafeek's mother, Seham Ayad, had arrived in Dubai yesterday
and had visited her daughter.

Ayad was unable to be contacted yesterday.

Friends and family in New Zealand continued to insist on Shafeek's
innocence yesterday.

Family friend and former employer, Sonia Bejjani, said Shafeek was a
"very sweet, very nice girl".

"She was like my daughter," she said.

"I am sure somebody put it in her purse."

Clark, meanwhile, said she had been briefed by diplomats on Shafeek's
plight and understood the distress her mother was experiencing.

"I understand they are extending all the consular assistance they
normally would extend to her," she said.

"I can understand their family would be extremely concerned and
worried. Any family in that position would be extremely worried,
particularly leaving someone behind in detention."

Foreign Minister Winston Peters declined to comment
yesterday.

"The minister will have nothing to say about this case. We'll let
Foreign Affairs handle it," a spokesman said.

In October, an American was jailed for four years for possession of a
smaller amount of marijuana than was found in Shafeek's purse.

However, the woman's family have been buoyed by reports that others
have been deported after pleas for mercy from families.

Urine and blood samples taken from Shafeek have tested negative for
drugs.

Ayad, who says Shafeek is innocent, has flown to Dubai in an attempt
to secure her daughter's release.

Shafeek and her Egyptian family have lived in New Zealand for 10
years.