Thirteen go on trial in major drug smuggling and distribution case

TDT | Manama

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Thirteen defendants appeared before the High Criminal Court in a major narcotics case, after the Anti-Narcotics Directorate said it dismantled a network involved in smuggling drugs into Bahrain and distributing them locally for profit. The court adjourned the case to 29 December and ordered the continued detention of the first to seventh defendants.

The Public Prosecution charged the first defendant with possessing and trafficking narcotics during 2025, as well as holding drugs for personal use. The remaining defendants are accused of using narcotic and psychotropic substances.

According to investigators, the first defendant sold drugs within his social circle. Arrests were carried out at several locations, with the second and fifth defendants detained at the King Fahd Causeway and the first defendant arrested later the same day. A search of his residence led to the arrest of the fourth defendant, who was found in the same building.

Police said the third and ninth defendants were arrested when they went to a security directorate to enquire about the first and second defendants. Two days later, the fifth defendant was arrested at Bahrain International Airport, while the remaining suspects were detained on different dates.

Further investigations indicated that the second defendant, his sister, the third defendant, and the fifth defendant allegedly smuggled drugs from a Gulf country through the King Fahd Causeway. Investigators also told the court that the first defendant had a prior drug conviction abroad dating back to 2012, for which he received a prison sentence, flogging and a deportation order, before later settling in Bahrain.

Searches of the first defendant’s home uncovered narcotics, psychotropic substances, medical tablets, and equipment used for packing, selling and consuming drugs, police said. Officers also seized cash in several currencies, three gold bars, a watch and a gold chain, which the first defendant admitted belonged to him. A search of the fourth defendant’s residence led to the seizure of narcotic tablets and cash.

During questioning, the first defendant admitted to drug use and said he had purchased some of the seized substances on about four occasions over a year. The remaining defendants also admitted to using drugs, prosecutors said.