A months-long investigation into a drug‑trafficking network has culminated in the arrest of a methamphetamine user who was allegedly found in possession of illegal ammunition, including bullets, a grenade, a tear gas canister and a knife.
Eight defendants are now standing trial at the High Criminal Court, of which seven are accused of selling and promoting drugs.
The eighth person has been charged with possessing prohibited ammunition.
The case was set in motion when a Filipino barber arrived in Bahrain with a suitcase allegedly stuffed with nearly 6kg of marijuana, sparking a domino effect that led to a series of sting operations and arrests.
Customs officials testified that the suspect’s luggage drew attention last July due to an unusual concentration of objects.
Upon inspection, they uncovered marijuana concealed inside food packets, bags of nuts, toys and items of clothing.
The narcotics weighed a total of 5.85kg across 11 separate packages, which he admitted bringing into Bahrain on the instructions of two unidentified dealers known as ‘Abu Sakhr’ (Arabic: rock man) and ‘Zishan’.
While under arrest, the 45-year-old Filipino received a call from Abu Sakhr, who asked whether he had arrived safely in Bahrain.
Under police supervision, the defendant confirmed that he had and sent photos of the merchandise to the caller.
Abu Sakhr then allegedly dispatched a 22‑year‑old Pakistani labourer to collect the shipment.
Upon his arrest, the labourer admitted that he had been sent by a 26‑year‑old Pakistani technician.
The same pattern of deception continued, with the already‑detained suspect co-operating with the dealer’s instructions and pretending that the operation was proceeding as planned.
Another Pakistani, 27, who officially works as a mechanic, came to collect the marijuana, and was also apprehended, and confessed to have been sent by yet another Pakistani labourer aged 31.
Meanwhile, with the co-operation of the 27‑year‑old suspect, police set up a sting operation that led to the arrest of a Bangladeshi cook, who in turn implicated an unemployed 23‑year‑old Bahraini.
The final defendant, a 28‑year‑old Bahraini mechanic, was taken into custody after arriving to purchase hashish from his compatriot.
In his residence, policemen allegedly uncovered a metal box containing 5.56×45mm cartridges – three empty and one live – used as ammunition for rifles.
Ammunition of 40mm calibre, which is used with grenade launchers, was also reportedly found, along with a tear gas canister and a knife.
A cache of cash was also seized from his residence – BD2,050, 140 Kuwaiti dinars, 200 Emirati dirhams, $100 (BD38), 60 Qatari riyals and £30 (BD15).
He was charged with illegally possessing weapons and ammunition as well as methamphetamine for personal use.
Meanwhile, three Pakistanis and a Filipino were charged with selling marijuana and methamphetamine, while the Bangladeshi cook was accused of possessing hashish and pregabalin (Lyrica) with the intent to sell.
The younger Bahraini defendant was charged with attempting to sell Lyrica and possessing several substances for recreational use, including tramadol, an opioid, clonazepam (Klonopin), a benzodiazepine and gabapentin, a controlled anticonvulsant.
The Filipino was charged with using meth.
Judges have scheduled the next hearing for March 31.
zainab@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))