Diver jailed for running cannabis farm from residence

TDT | Manama

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A professional diver who moonlighted as the head of a drug gang has been jailed for life along with two accomplices, after a court found the men guilty of running a cannabis farm out of a two-storey home in Adliya.

The High Criminal Court also fined each of the three men BD5,000.

A fourth man was handed a 10-year sentence and fined BD5,000, while a fifth was jailed for one year and ordered to pay a BD1,000 fine.

The court ordered the deportation of the 51-year-old ringleader once his sentence is complete and ruled that all seized items be confiscated.

Investigators said the diver had been using his profession as a cover for six years, running a well-organised growing operation from his residence.

The flat had been sectioned off into rooms assigned for germination, growth and harvesting. Officers found potted plants, heat lamps, soil, fertiliser, ventilation, fans, and drying racks.

The space was kept under tight environmental control using thermostats and air conditioning units.

The Public Prosecution said the diver used his network to smuggle seeds into Bahrain.

He then planted, tended and dried the crop himself before passing it to others for packaging and resale.

Extracts, including cannabis oil, were also produced.

The second man, aged 48, helped with the set-up, sourcing tools and assisting with the indoor farming work.

He also handled cash transfers to two European countries and helped portion and store the harvest at his own home.

The third man, 53, was brought in to help move the product.

He had contacts and experience, according to prosecutors, and took part in the sale of the drug to regular buyers.

The fourth, aged 29, worked as a street-level distributor, using handoffs and drop points to deliver orders.

The fifth, aged 27, was found to have been buying the drug for personal use.