Trial adjourned in drug trafficking case as Bahrain police uncover international smuggling network

TDT | Manama                                                

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com     

The trial of three men accused of trafficking and smuggling drugs through Bahrain's territorial waters has been adjourned until Friday, to hear testimony from defence witnesses.

Public Prosecution has charged the suspects with smuggling 95 kilograms of illicit drugs, including 87 kilograms of hashish from Iran.

Bahrain police arrested them based on information received by the anti-drug department at the Ministry of Interior.

Subsequent investigations revealed that the men were part of an international drug smuggling network operating within the Kingdom, with their operations primarily conducted through international waters.

The network is believed to be led by an Iranian citizen. Authorities trapped the suspects through an undercover operation.

Law enforcement agents, who got in touch with the suspects posing as buyers, said they managed to place an order for one kilogram of hashish worth BD2,200.

The suspects agreed to close the deal at a designated meeting place in Sitra.

Upon handing over the drugs, the suspects were promptly arrested by the police.

At the time of the arrest, law enforcement authorities also seized over five kilograms of hashish from the suspects’ vehicles.

Further interrogations revealed that the suspects were engaged in drug peddling within Bahrain, following instructions from their Iranian boss, who facilitated the transfer of funds through a handler in Bahrain.

It was discovered that the Iranian man was sending people to Bahrain under the guise of religious tours to carry out money transfers.

A subsequent raid on one of the suspect’s residences led to the discovery of undisclosed amounts of cash and significant quantities of drugs concealed in a hidden location.

In total, the police operation resulted in the recovery of 87 kilograms of illicit drugs.

The trial will resume on May 26 to allow for the presentation of defence witnesses.