Drug Smuggling Case Using Dried Fish and Shrimp Referred to Court

Using a sophisticated method to conceal narcotics among dried fish and shrimp, the defendants attempted to pass through customs. Upon inspection, officers discovered drugs hidden in six transparent bags inside the fish and shrimp, as well as in clothing, making them difficult to detect.

The defendants denied the charges before the High Criminal Court (First Circuit), which scheduled a verdict date while ordering the defendants to remain in custody.

The Public Prosecution charged the defendants with importing and possessing narcotics for the purpose of trafficking in 2025, in violation of the law.

During the hearing, the defense lawyers requested acquittal. Lawyer Zahra Jawad argued that the evidence was insufficient and that her client was unaware of the contents of the suitcase. She also noted that the second defendant cooperated with authorities, reporting the main perpetrator before learning of the crime. Even if her client had known about the drugs, Jawad added, she fully assisted police voluntarily and helped identify other members of the smuggling network.

According to the case details, a customs officer on duty screened luggage arriving from an Asian country and became suspicious of the defendants’ suitcases. The bags were marked for further inspection and directed to the red channel. When asked whether they had anything to declare, both defendants said no.

Upon inspection, the first defendant admitted that he received the suitcase from a person in Asia to deliver it to another individual in Bahrain for payment. A similar quantity of drugs was found in the second defendant’s suitcase, concealed in the same manner. She confirmed she received the suitcase from an Asian contact to deliver it locally for money.

The defendants were arrested and referred, along with the seized items, to the security authorities. Investigators also found various foreign currencies in their possession, believed to be proceeds from drug trafficking.

During questioning, the defendants revealed that a hotel room had been booked for them in Bahrain, where someone was supposed to collect the suitcases. Security officers accompanied them to the hotel and allowed them to contact the unidentified person, who asked them to photograph the bags, provide the lock codes, and leave the suitcases in the room. He claimed he would send someone to collect them, but no one arrived.

Further investigations concluded that the defendants were part of an organized network engaged in smuggling narcotics into Bahrain for trafficking and sale. Both admitted transporting the suitcases for payment from an unknown individual.