TDT | Manama
Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Bahrain’s High Criminal Court sentenced two Asian men to 15 years in prison and fined them 5,000 Bahraini dinars each after they were found guilty of possessing heroin and attempting to smuggle it into the kingdom.
The incident occurred on April 20, 2024, when the first defendant, a young Asian male, arrived at Bahrain International Airport from an Asian country. He was carrying a backpack, which aroused the suspicion of airport security personnel. Upon inspection, a large quantity of heroin was discovered concealed in the backpack. The heroin was hidden in a plastic bag sealed with tape and placed under a foam pad.
The defendant admitted receiving the drugs from an individual in his home country and was tasked with delivering them to another individual in Bahrain.
Meanwhile, the second defendant, who was waiting for the first defendant in the arrivals hall, was also arrested. His suspicious behaviour, including photographing passengers and staring at the first defendant, raised alarm. He admitted that he had come to pick up his younger brother, but a check of his mobile phone revealed that he had been communicating with the first defendant regarding drug dealing.
Investigations revealed that both defendants were part of a large drug trafficking network operating out of Bahrain, with the first defendant receiving drugs in exchange for large sums of money, suggesting he acted as a courier.
Further analysis of the second defendant’s mobile phone revealed images of unidentified locations circled, as well as a number of pills and dark coloured drugs, suggesting the defendant was involved in drug-related activities.
After considering the evidence, the court sentenced both defendants to 15 years in prison and a fine of 5,000 Bahraini dinars each, and ordered them to be deported from Bahrain after serving their sentences.
