A BASKETBALL player is standing trial on charges of using and selling marijuana to US Navy personnel based in Juffair.
The 37-year-old American man, who was on Bahrain’s national team, and his co-defendant, a 44-year-old Eritrean woman, have been charged with drug dealing.
They both appeared at the High Criminal Court yesterday where the man admitted to using marijuana and hashish, but denied selling it, while the woman denied involvement in the case.
“We received a call from the US Navy Base’s Naval Criminal Investigative Service, informing us that a package addressed to a Navy official was suspected of containing illicit substances,” an anti-narcotics directorate officer told the Public Prosecution.
“After investigating the report, we discovered that the male defendant and a female suspect, who is known by the nickname ‘Reem’, were importing and selling drugs for profit,” the Bahraini said.
He added that it appeared that the contraband was imported using the names of other people in order to conceal the duo’s intentions, who then went on to use, advertise and sell the product.
After obtaining warrants to arrest and search the suspects, an anti-narcotics directorate team was formed to carry out a sting operation in co-operation with US Navy officials.
A meeting between the defendant and the American navy base resident to whom the package was addressed was set up at a café in Juffair, where the latter would hand over the mail to the former.
“The defendant was arrested but a search of him and his vehicle yielded nothing,” said the Bahraini policeman, adding that marijuana paraphernalia was found in his Muharraq apartment.
“A pipe thought to have been used to consume the drug was found on top of the defendant’s wardrobe, and cigarette rolling paper was found on his couch, which were presented to prosecutors.”
Meanwhile, the woman was arrested and a search of her room netted BD270 and 250 Saudi Riyals thought to have been revenue generated by promoting the sale of hashish.
The athlete, who is more than two metres tall, has played in several Bahraini basketball teams.
Although he denied selling marijuana, court documents said that he had given it to friends and acquaintances in return for help with personal matters.
Court documents also added that traces of the narcotic were found in his urine sample, along with messages on his WhatsApp confirming the sale of drugs.
The hearing was adjourned to Thursday, where defence arguments will be heard.
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