Smuggling marijuana: Two men acquitted by the court

Manama : Two Bangladeshi men, who attempted to smuggle half a kilogram of marijuana into Bahrain by stashing the quantity in slippers, have been acquitted. 

The first defendant was arrested at the Bahrain International Airport, while the second man was captured in a sting operation.

Officers found that the first defendant was carrying slippers in a bag, and the marijuana was hidden in them. During questioning, he admitted to carrying the slippers, but denied he was aware that there were illegal substances stashed inside them. 

He said that a man in his country gave him the slippers, and requested him to deliver them to his co-defendant. He offered to help arresting the latter.  

The High Criminal Court stated in the acquittal verdict that there was no evidence showing that the men were aware that they were committing a crime. 

“The first defendant insisted throughout investigations and his trial that he wasn’t aware of that the slippers were containing illicit materials. No evidence has been provided to confirm his knowledge of the marijuana was stashed in the slippers, thus the court sees absence in criminal intent with his act,” the verdict read. 

“The second defendant was sent to receive the slippers and he wasn’t aware that they were containing drugs either,” the verdict added.