Court Hears Case of Three Asians Accused of Importing Marijuana via US Parcel

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Manama: The First High Criminal Court heard a case involving three Asian defendants accused of importing and trafficking marijuana concealed inside a parcel sent from the United States. The shipment allegedly contained 560.27 grams of marijuana hidden among folds of clothing.

The Public Prosecution charged the first and second defendants with importing and selling cannabis and marijuana for the purpose of trafficking in circumstances not permitted by law. The third defendant was charged with possessing and acquiring marijuana with intent to traffic.

During the hearing, defence lawyer Zahraa Khodair requested the acquittal of her client as a primary plea. Alternatively, she sought exemption from punishment on the grounds that her client had cooperated with authorities by providing information leading to the arrest of another suspect.

Khodair argued that the case procedures were invalid, citing what she described as a fundamental violation during the inspection of the parcel. She stated that the customs officer opened and examined the package without the presence of the first defendant, which she said breached his legal rights and undermined the connection between him and the seized items. She maintained that this procedural flaw invalidated subsequent actions, including the arrest and investigation, under Article 339 of the Criminal Procedures Law.

She added that if the court were to proceed with a conviction, it should apply Article 53 of the Law on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, which allows mitigation where an accused provides substantial assistance. She said her client’s cooperation helped identify and apprehend the third defendant, as confirmed by prosecution witnesses.

A first-class customs officer at Bahrain International Airport testified that while screening incoming parcels using an X-ray scanner, he became suspicious of a shipment from the United States due to its unusually high density. Upon opening the parcel, he discovered a wrapped bag containing a substance suspected to be marijuana, weighing 560.27 grams, concealed among clothing.

A major from the Ministry of Interior’s Drug Enforcement Administration corroborated this testimony, adding that the first defendant was arrested when he arrived to collect the parcel. The officer also said the second defendant was found waiting outside the location and was arrested at the scene.

According to the testimony, the first defendant admitted to having previously received another parcel containing papers soaked with a narcotic substance and directed officers to an envelope kept at his residence, which was later seized during a search.

The officer further stated that the first defendant cooperated with authorities and disclosed contact with two other individuals of Asian nationality, including the owner of the seized parcel. Under police supervision, the defendant contacted one of them to confirm receipt of the shipment.

The case was adjourned for further consideration.