Dallas Austin didn't intend to use drugs in the UAE

Music producer Dallas Austin has been released from prison in the United Arab Emirates after receiving a pardon over a drugs conviction.

"He is on the plane and safely out of the country", Austin's lawyer Joel A Katz was quoted as saying by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper reports BBCnews.

Dubai's ruler pardoned American R&B producer Dallas Austin on Tuesday, hours after he was sentenced to four years in prison for possession of cocaine, two of the producer's lawyers said.

The court ruled that the 34-year-old Atlanta producer, should be deported after serving his prison term, said lawyer Qays Hatem al-Zu'bi.

Similar cases have been pardoned in the past, and the defendant is usually deported.

Austin, who has spawned hits for the likes of Madonna, Michael Jackson, Pink and TLC, was detained by Dubai police after they found a gram of cocaine in his luggage.

Local newspapers said on Monday Austin had pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine during the trial at the Dubai Court of First Instance.

They said Austin was arrested at Dubai airport on May 19 when police found at least 1.26 grams of the drug and other illegal substances in his possession.

Austin was reportedly flying into Dubai to attend a birthday party for supermodel Naomi Campbell. "I'm guilty, but it was a mistake," he was quoted as telling the court. "I didn't realize I had the drugs with me and I didn't intend to use them here in the UAE."

Austin's lawyer disputed the reported nature of his visit, saying the producer was in Dubai to attend concerts.

Austin has several hits to his credit, including Pink's "Just Like a Pill" and TLC's "Unpretty." He won a Grammy Award for best R&B album in 1999 for producing TLC's multiplatinum "Fanmail."

In 2003, Austin founded the Dallas Austin Foundation, which works to train youth for careers in the music and entertainment industries.