A FOILED bid to mail drugs in a box of children’s toys has led to a smuggler receiving a 15-year jail sentence and a BD10,000 fine.
Judges also ordered confiscation of the drugs and deportation of the expatriate after completion of his sentence.
He was also fined BD100 after being found guilty of possessing indecent material on his mobile phone.
The High Criminal Court found the 43-year-old Malaysian guilty of possessing ketamine with an intention to sell and using methamphetamine.
Last year, the man tried to mail a package of ketamine overseas but his scheme was busted after an employee of the courier company noticed a crystal-like substance ‘seeping’ from the package.
“The defendant came to the branch to send a package to New Zealand and said it contained toys for children,” the courier employee told the Public Prosecution.
“I asked the man for a proof of identity, but he said he didn’t have one and that he’d go home and bring it to the branch,” he said, adding that the shipping to the Oceania country costs BD150.
The now-convicted defendant, however, did not return immediately which raised the Indian employee’s suspicion. He cut open the box and saw a crystal-like substance falling out of the carton and reported it to the authorities.
“The defendant eventually returned with a copy of his passport, but he was trembling and seemed to be extremely anxious,” said the employee.
The directorate began investigating the suspicious package, eventually reaching the defendant by tracking down the driver of the taxi who had brought him to the courier office.
Officers found the defendant in an abnormal state when they went to arrest him after obtaining a warrant from the Public Prosecution.
Drug paraphernalia, including bags of narcotics and money transfer receipts, were found in the Malaysian’s home along with a glass pipe that had meth residue.
An analysis of his urine also revealed traces of meth.
zainab@gdnmedia.bh
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