The prolific drugs distribution activities of ‘Speedie Beedie, the Barber’ were outlined in court as he covered the kingdom for rent money from his cut of the profits, alongside a stash for personal consumption.
The Pakistani expatriate, who was paid BD1 every time he delivered drugs to dead drops, covered half his monthly rent expenditure with his successful dealings, the High Criminal Court heard.
The 35-year-old, who had more than 300 dead drop locations across Bahrain, is facing charges relating to the alleged possession and distribution of narcotic and psychedelic substances.
The men’s hairdresser was caught with a collection of illegal substances including hashish, marijuana, methamphetamine, locally known as shabu, heroin and morphine.
He intended to distribute the drugs to clients after receiving them from his home country, the court heard.
A police officer told Public Prosecution officials that the Anti-Narcotics Directorate received an anonymous tip about the alleged distributor’s activities, alongside his location in Juffair where he was described as being in an ‘abnormal state.’
He said that the caller suspected the accused was either dealing in drugs, or using them himself.
Detectives launched an investigation that led to the identification of the accused, as well as his place of residence.
The probe uncovered more than 300 ‘dead drop’ locations across the kingdom and suggestions that the suspect was carrying out the instructions of a kingpin based in Pakistan.
A dead drop is a method used to pass items or information between two individuals using a secret location. By avoiding direct meetings, individuals aim to maintain operational security. This method stands in contrast to the live drop, which involves a face-to-face exchange.
The Public Prosecution issued a warrant for his arrest. On August 13, at about 12.30am, officers spotted him sitting in a car. He was arrested shortly afterwards and the vehicle and his place of residence in Juffair were searched for illegal substances.
The accused was believed to have been ‘under the influence’ at the time and two medium-sized bags full of a crystalline substance were found in his trouser pockets.
An inspection of the vehicle unveiled a plastic case full of cannabidiol, four pieces of a dark substance believed to be hashish, five bags of marijuana and two nylon bags of crystalline substances.
Officers also found a transparent bag full of heroin, a weighing scale, two sticky tapes, a syringe that contained traces of a liquid and a carton of a herbal substance hidden in the boot of the car.
An inspection of his smartphone revealed several drugs-related conversations, photographs and videos of the illegal substances with an unidentified contact.
During yesterday’s hearing, the accused admitted to dealing in drugs and distributing psychedelic substances through dead drops.
He said he was paid BD1 every time he used the dead drops, and had half his rent covered for every month of successful dealings by two people based in Pakistan.
The accused was also given free drugs in return for his co-operation, the court heard.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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