‘Dead drop’ drug dealers arrested

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s anti-narcotics Directorate has dismantled a four-person criminal network involved in the import, sale, and distribution of narcotics throughout the country.

The group utilised a sophisticated “dead drop” method, using WhatsApp to connect with buyers and leaving drugs in undisclosed locations.

Initial information from confidential sources alerted authorities to the network’s activities, which involved using several Asian phone numbers to advertise drugs and psychotropic substances on WhatsApp.

The group would photograph the hidden narcotics and send the location to buyers after receiving payment via money transfers.

Bank transfer

An undercover agent was offered drugs in return for BD10 by the network, and he settled the amount via bank transfer before receiving the location of the drugs.

The package contained psychotropic substances.

Investigations revealed that the main suspect, an Asian national currently residing outside Bahrain, received payments through his bank account and then transferred the funds to other accounts to conceal the source of the money.

Income

A warrant was issued for the main suspect’s arrest, and a financial investigation, conducted with the Financial Intelligence National Centre, revealed numerous large sums of money transferred to his account in 2024, inconsistent with his income as a construction worker.

The pattern of transactions strongly indicated drug trafficking.

A Bahraini national, the second suspect, was arrested at his home and found in possession of drug paraphernalia and narcotics.

Money

He was also found to have transferred money to the main suspect’s account to purchase drugs.

Two other suspects, one Arab and one Asian national, were also arrested and found to be in possession of narcotics and involved in the money transfers. The court has scheduled a hearing for December 23rd to consider their appeals.

Appeal

The main suspect is appealing a 10-year prison sentence, a BD5,000 fine, and deportation. The second suspect is appealing a six-month prison sentence and a BD500 fine.

The third and fourth suspects are appealing their six-month sentences and BD100 fines, along with deportation orders.