Vercingetorix, judging by some of your answers in this thread its appararant that you certainly are well read............anyway, just a nod in your direction.
What caught my attention in this thread is the repeated reference to codeine. Now, I too on occasion take pain relievers that I have brought in from my country that contain codeine phosphate (10mg), quite simply because I find any and all the local stuff extremely weak. The exception to that is of course Zomig (available over the counter here), but at QR100 for 3 tablets, it is a tad pricy!
Having said that I am, without sounding naive, a little surprised at the extreme 'no tolerance' in the UAE. I dont bring in much, but on one occasion used an overnight service and the local goverment dept hauled me in the following day for a personal pick-up......upon which I was informerly questioned for about maybe ten minutes. When they were satisfied that it was for occasional personal use, tablets were handed to me and was sent happily on my way..................nothing, no warning or any of the like.
In addition to that, on several occasions my parcels were routed by the freight company through the UAE, and even though I could clearly see that they were opened (re-sealed with a customs verification tape), there was no parameter or warning attached.
Is it specific pain relievers that have maybe been red flagged?, because I honestly have never had a problem.