THREE Bahrainis have appeared in court for the first time in connection with an international drug smuggling operation.
More than 10 kilos of hashish, crystal meth – locally known as shabu – and prescription pills were seized during a police raid on the home of one of them.
The confiscated narcotics have a street value of more than BD80,000.
All three defendants, aged 49,50 and 54, are now on trial for drug trafficking at the High Criminal Court.
However, they denied the charge as they appeared before judges yesterday.
Investigators accuse the 50-year-old defendant of masterminding the operation.
Meanwhile, an investigating officer revealed the 49-year-old defendant held down a day job as an airline budget analyst.
The drugs were found during a police raid on the Janabiya home of the 49-year-old, who has also been charged with resisting arrest.
“My investigations led me to the ring of Bahraini drug smugglers,” the officer told prosecutors.
“One of them worked as a budget analyst for an airline and helped the mastermind.
“He (the 49-year-old) attempted to resist arrest and a policeman was injured as he wrestled with the defendant.
“More than BD80,000 worth of narcotics was found inside his house in Janabiya.”
However, the airline employee claims he was not involved in the smuggling operation – saying he only allowed his home to be used as a drugs depot in exchange for a free supply of hashish.
“I did not deal or smuggle, I only smoke hashish,” he said in his statement to prosecutors.
“I kept the narcotics in my house because I was promised free hashish.
“I kept more than eight kilos of hashish, but did not sell or smuggle any.”
Police also seized US dollars during the raid, but he claimed the money was not income from drugs.
“The US dollars found on me were from my trip to Sharm El Sheikh,” he said.
The trial has been adjourned until April 29 for review.
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