Asian Expat on Trial Over Attempt to Smuggle Tumbak Hidden in Onion Shipment

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Manama: The First High Criminal Court has begun hearing the trial of an Asian defendant in his forties accused of attempting to smuggle the prohibited substance ‘tumbak’ into the country by concealing it inside shipments of onions.

The court set February 2 as the date for the next hearing, ordering that the accused be brought from detention to review the case and respond to the charges.

According to testimony by a customs officer at the seaport, suspicion was raised during the inspection of an onion shipment arriving from an Asian country due to the unusually large size of the produce. The shipment was scanned using an X-ray machine, which revealed irregularities in the contents. Upon opening the bags, officers discovered that the onions had been hollowed out and stuffed with tumbak, a substance prohibited in the country.

Customs officials seized 11,110 bags of tumbak weighing a total of 1,035 kilograms. The goods were valued at approximately BD19,925 and were handed over to the relevant customs authorities.

A customs broker testified that the accused contacted him to clear an onion shipment and provided all required documentation and fees. When customs officials later discovered the prohibited substance, the broker cooperated with authorities to help apprehend the accused. The broker contacted the defendant, arranged a delivery location, and both were arrested upon meeting.

A legal researcher at the National Revenue Authority testified that the accused had also evaded value-added tax, as the seized substance was subject to multiple taxes. Another customs witness confirmed the valuation of the goods at BD 19,925 and said a 100 per cent customs fine was imposed.

The Public Prosecution charged the defendant with failing to pay BD3,985 in value-added tax within the legally prescribed period, evading customs duties, and participating with others, through agreement and assistance, in importing prohibited tobacco products.

Investigations revealed that the accused used another person’s commercial registration to import the shipment, as he did not possess one himself. He admitted during questioning that he offered cash in exchange for using the company’s registration, while the registration holder stated he was unaware the shipment contained prohibited substances.

The case has been adjourned until February 2 pending further proceedings.