An unemployed former convict and a drug kingpin are on trial at the High Criminal Court for allegedly possessing heroin with intention to sell.
The 37-year-old Bahraini divorcee is facing drug charges alongside his alleged supplier, a 29-year-old Pakistani man who was last year sentenced to 10 years in prison for his involvement in wholesale narcotics trading.
Prosecutors have asked the court to apply the whole weight of the law against the defendants, stating that “cases like this affect the security of our nation, its citizens and residents”.
“We stand before a critical case, which threatens the well-being of our society,” read a memo by the Public Prosecution.
“The defendants sought to possess and sell narcotics in order to promote drug use among members of our society, without regard for the damage that could cause to families and youth.
“The case laid before your feet is an example of the many plots concocted against our country and its young men and women.
“The prosecution has previously argued numerous disturbing cases involving drugs, in which young citizens were accused, convicted and as a result have been locked behind bars for years.
“The question of how these toxins leak into our society has long haunted us, and now we are presenting to you a gang of dealers and promoters behind this very phenomenon, who do not care for the dire consequences of their actions.”
Judges are trying the Pakistani under aggravating circumstances, having been convicted of the same charges in the past.
The Bahraini has further been accused of possessing hashish and meth, opiates morphine and tramadol, and drugs belonging to the benzodiazepine class – alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium) – for personal use.
While he denied selling heroin, in a previous hearing, he admitted to the charge of narcotic possession for recreational purposes.
He changed his story, after admitting to the police that he traded in drugs, stating that he would collect the heroin through dead mail, then would go on to divide them into smaller quantities to sell.
The GDN earlier reported that the father-of-one was arrested on drug charges while visiting his girlfriend at the Isa Town Women’s Detention Centre, with the prosecution previously filing an arrest order against him.
He testified during questioning that he had lost a well-paying job four years ago, got divorced, and had to move back to his parents’ house in Hajiyat, when he began promoting narcotics to make a quick earning.
A search warrant was issued by the prosecution, and authorities allege that a search of his vehicle and house revealed a cache of narcotics.
According to an officer who conducted the search, a total of 200g of heroin in various forms and quantities were found among his items, along with more than 30gm of crystal meth.
A hashish joint, a miniscule amount of hashish paste and four capsules of Xanax were also reportedly found. Material for sale and distribution of drugs, including packaging and electronic scales, were allegedly seized.
“I would package the heroin based on instructions received from my co-defendant, who I first encountered on WhatsApp, and began promoting his merchandise,” the ex-con earlier stated.
Traces of morphine, hashish and meth were reportedly detected in the Bahraini’s urine.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani expat has not appeared in court. It is not known whether he is still in Bahrain, serving his sentence, or if he was deported.
The trial continues.
zainab@gdnmedia.bh
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