Four people accused of dealing in narcotics will learn their fates at the end of next month.
The defendants include a 37-year-old Bahraini retiree from Al Markh, a 27-year-old Lebanese sales representative from Juffair, a 31-year-old Pakistani labourer from Tubli, and a 46-year-old Bahraini woman from Hamad Town.
They have been charged by the High Criminal Court with possession and sale of heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine, hashish, and pregabalin (Lyrica).
According to court documents, an Anti-Narcotics Directorate officer received intelligence about a drug network operating in the kingdom, dealing in narcotics and psychedelic substances for cash.
The anonymous informant identified a 37-year-old Bahraini as the main recipient, responsible for storing and preparing the substances for sale using the dead drop method. A 27-year-old Lebanese man was also implicated.
The officer sought authorisation from the Public Prosecution to arrest the suspects and search the Bahraini man’s residence.
A task force was formed, leading to the identification and arrest of the 37-year-old, who was accompanied by the 46-year-old Bahraini woman at the time.
Investigators tracked the retiree and saw him placing an item in the ground and photographing the spot. Upon digging, they recovered an envelope containing approximately 12gm of a powdery substance, believed to be heroin.
The officers continued surveillance, eventually apprehending the man and the female defendant, who was reportedly in an abnormal state at the time of arrest.
An inspection of his car revealed envelopes containing drugs as well as 200 wrapping papers with hashish inside.
On inspecting his residence, officers found three nylon bags and envelopes with a total of 13gm of heroin. Additionally, they found pills, believed to be Lyrica, along with bags that would allegedly be used to store the substances.
In his bedroom, they discovered about 15gm of heroin and a spoon with traces of the substance.
Upon interrogation, the retiree told the authorities that he received the substances from two networks – one run by the Lebanese man and the other headed by the Pakistani labourer.
Both men are still at large and the worker is believed to have fled the country.
The retiree also admitted that it was his job to prepare the drugs for sale and store them, and that he would get some of the substances for his own personal use.
The female defendant said she intended to use some of the narcotics herself, including shabu obtained from the retiree, but denied any involvement in selling them.
Investigations revealed that the group also dealt in marijuana.
The retiree’s phone was taken for inspection, and authorities found conversations with customers and geographical locations of the dead drops.
The duo stood trial at the High Criminal Court yesterday while the Lebanese and Pakistani men are being tried in absentia.
The case has been adjourned until December 30, when judges are expected to deliver a verdict.
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