Two expatriate drug mules who tried to smuggle heroin and marijuana into the country for sale and distribution through Bahrain International Airport, had their life imprisonment and 15-year sentences upheld by the Appeals Court.
The first incident happened in May 2023, when a passenger was seen acting suspiciously by airport security staff. Officials asked him whether he was in the possession of anything illegal, or had anything to declare, both of which he denied.
A scan revealed that he had swallowed narcotic substances in capsules prior to his arrival in an attempt to smuggle them into the country.
The man was arrested, the case referred to the Anti-Narcotics Directorate and he was taken to a medical centre where over several days he passed more than 100 capsules. According to lab results, they contained about three and a half kilograms of marijuana, meant for sale and distribution.
He was referred to trial at the High Criminal Court, and sentenced to 15 years in prison, fined BD10,000 and face deportation following the completion of his sentence.
In September, a second man attempted a copycat case, although the drugs swallowed were almost a kilogram of heroin.
In total, he expelled 106 capsules, which laboratory results revealed to be an estimated 835 grams of the narcotic.
Further investigations revealed that the accused was part of a drug smuggling ring in the kingdom, and that he had agreed to import the heroin for 200,000 Pakistani rupees, approximately BD272.
The High Criminal Court judges found him guilty as charged and sentenced him to serve life in prison and fined him BD10,000.
The appeals, lodged by their respective lawyers, were unsuccessful with the Appeals Court ruling to uphold both sentences. It is not clear whether the cases were related. The drug mules’ nationalities or ages were not outlined during the hearing.
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