Man gets 15 years, BD 5,000 fine for smuggling drugs in cereal boxes

TDT | Manama

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A man was sentenced to 15 years in prison and fined BD 5,000 by the First High Criminal Court after attempting to smuggle drugs concealed in cereal boxes. Police revealed the defendant hollowed out clothing to hide the narcotics and enlisted his sister to distract customs officers.

The case came to light when airport customs officers flagged the man’s suspicious behaviour upon his arrival from an Arab country. A captain from the Anti-Narcotics Directorate testified that the man’s luggage contained 53 pieces of cannabis wrapped in nylon, 1,975 Captagon pills hidden inside cereal boxes, over 1,000 psychotropic pills (including Lyrica and alprazolam), and 101 grams of suspected cocaine in his backpack.

Authorities discovered that the pills were sewn into clothing and food containers were altered to appear untouched. It was also noted that the defendant had used his sister to create a diversion, hoping to evade detection.

A follow-up raid on his home uncovered 34.47 grams of cannabis hidden under his bed, along with cutting tools, packaging materials, and an electronic scale. Prosecutors confirmed that the smuggling attempt occurred earlier this year.

While the man initially claimed the drugs were for personal use, further investigation revealed his intention to sell them.