LAWYERS have submitted their final arguments in the trial of seven men accused of being part of an international drug trafficking ring that has allegedly been smuggling huge quantities of hashish and shabu into Bahrain.
A 36-year-old man, nicknamed Za’fran, believed to be the mastermind behind the racket, is among the expatriates standing trial at the High Criminal Court for allegedly dealing in and possessing narcotics.
According to court documents, the group specialised in smuggling drugs in creative ways, including the use of a drug mule.
Authorities foiled the enterprise after arresting a 21-year-old Pakistani at Bahrain International Airport on his return to the kingdom on a flight from Peshawar in December last year.
Following a tip-off, the man was directed to the Red Lane in the Customs section of the airport where his luggage was searched.
The authorities did not find anything on the defendant.
However, he was taken to a hospital for a computerised tomography (CT) scan, which revealed more than 100 drug capsules in his stomach.
He was then taken to Salmaniya Medical Complex where he excreted 106 shabu capsules over the course of three days.
Upon questioning, the 21-year-old revealed that he had acted on the orders of a man who identified himself only as Za’fran.
Police set up a sting operation which led to the arrest of Za’fran.
An investigation was conducted and mobile phones of both the defendants were subsequently searched, leading to the arrest of five other men, all aged in their 30s, who were part of the alleged network.
However, defence lawyer Ali Ayad representing the alleged mastermind requested his client’s acquittal due to lack of evidence.
“The defendant was arrested without any legitimate evidence against him,” he told a leading judge yesterday.
“His co-defendants’ statements against him is not sufficient to find him guilty.
“No drugs were found in his possession when he was arrested.”
The trial has been adjourned until May 17 for a ruling.
noorz@gdn.com.bh
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