Prosecutors in the trial of three men implicated in running a high-tech marijuana farm out of a rental villa in Adliya have asked High Criminal Court judges to penalise the accused to the fullest extent of the law.
A 51-year-old American diver has reportedly taken responsibility for setting up the operation, caring for the cannabis plants from start to finish, and fully equipping the home factory.
The case files state that he allegedly perpetuated the plant from one batch of seeds that his friends from the US gave him, and had eventually produced seeds worth BD1,000 each.
He reportedly admitted to renting the villa, converting it into a farm and providing thermostats, lighting, ventilation, air conditioning, heating, fertiliser and water filters.
Yesterday, each of the defendants’ attorneys tried to shift the blame from their client onto the other suspects.
A well-known lawyer, representing one of the American’s two Bahraini alleged co-conspirators, read the American’s confession before the court, having earlier testified that the former had nothing to do with the gardening.
“I produced the first generation of plants, then held on to the seeds which were produced after six months when the plants had matured appropriately,” the lawyer quoted the expat.
“I cut out branches and put them in smaller pots, since growing out their roots takes a long time. The 53-year-old defendant, my brother, visits me often but doesn’t know about the farm.”
Using these quotations, the veteran attorney asked judges to acquit his client, claiming that he had no knowledge or relation with the operation, and had never even been in the room with the plants.
The hearing was adjourned to May 6, when witnesses will appear for cross-examination.
The GDN earlier reported that the cannabis allegedly cultivated by the American and his two Bahraini co-defendants, aged 48 and 53, is estimated to be worth BD1 million in market value.
According to the Public Prosecution, the expat gave his 48-year-old accomplice the harvest, and the Bahraini hid some of the stock in his house, and sold the rest on his behalf.
He allegedly brought back between BD500 and BD1,000 in weekly revenue, and sent a part of it abroad, receiving drugs in return.
He was also reportedly given valuable cannabis seeds for safekeeping, which are said to have cost BD1,000 each.
Two more Bahraini men are standing trial alongside the first three: a 27-year-old is accused of selling and using drugs while a 29-year-old faces only drug use charges.
“The first defendant (American) led an operation to grow, promote and sell narcotics in Bahrain for profit,” a detective earlier told the Public Prosecution.
“He got friends of his nationality to bring him seeds, then he grew them in his house, and took care of them until they had matured and were ready to harvest.
“After that, he dried the plants and began the process of selling his stock, seeking the assistance of the second, third and fourth defendants to promote the wares.
“He transferred a part of the revenue overseas, particularly to Georgia and Russia.”
The detective added that the 48-year-old co-defendant assisted the American in growing the cannabis, helping him organise and put together equipment as necessary.
The 48-year-old was charged with giving the narcotics to the 27-year-old, and another individual not implicated in the case, in exchange for services, which he denied.
Meanwhile, the 51-year-old alleged ringleader admitted to using his own output for recreational purposes, while the 27-year-old admitted to using synthetic cannabinoids and methamphetamine.
The 29-year-old denied possessing synthetic cannabinoids, marijuana and tramadol for recreational use.
The operation allegedly started in 2019 until the matter was exposed in 2025.
zainab@gdnmedia.bh
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