Bahrain: Court Slaps Drug Smugglers With Hefty Fines, Jail Terms
Bahraini court has handed down hefty fines and jail sentences to two individuals found guilty of smuggling drugs through the waters of the Kingdom. One of the men received a life sentence, while the other was sentenced to 16 years in prison. Additionally, both men were fined BD10,000. According to the case files, the smugglers were involved in the transportation of 87 kilograms of hashish from Iran.
Acting on a tip-off from the anti-drug department at the Ministry of Interior, the police arrested the culprits. Further investigation revealed their involvement in an international drug smuggling network that targeted Bahrain through international waters. The network was found to be led by an Iranian national.
The arrests took place during an undercover operation, where an agent in plain clothes established contact with the suspects and placed an order for BD2200 worth of hashish. Unaware of the trap set for them, the suspects agreed to meet in Sitra to finalise the deal. However, upon arrival, they were apprehended by police officers, who also seized five kilograms of hashish from their vehicle.
During the subsequent interrogation, one of the men confessed to trafficking drugs within the kingdom under the instructions of the network’s leader. He also revealed that the proceeds from the drug sales were handed over to another individual, who would then transfer the funds to the Iranian national through people operating religious tours.
The second suspect was also arrested, and a significant amount of cash, believed to be proceeds from drug sales, was seized from him. Moreover, the police conducted a raid on the suspect’s residence, where they discovered a substantial quantity of drugs. Overall, the operation led to the recovery of 87 kilograms of illicit drugs.
