15 Years for Man Behind CBD Smuggling Network

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s Court of Cassation upheld prison sentences against two Asian nationals convicted in a drug trafficking case involving narcotics hidden inside containers labelled as dog shampoo.

The court sentenced the main defendant, 23, to 15 years in prison and fined him BD5,000 for importing and trafficking narcotic and psychotropic substances. A second defendant received six months in prison and a BD100 fine for possession and personal use.

The case began after customs officers at the postal shipments department became suspicious of two parcels sent from Asian countries to the first defendant. Inspections revealed liquid substances concealed inside bottles, including containers marked as dog shampoo.

Laboratory tests later confirmed the substances contained CBD narcotics.

Investigators said the suspects were part of an organised network importing drugs through air cargo using sophisticated concealment methods, including hiding narcotics inside nutritional supplements and personal care products to avoid customs detection.

During a search of the main suspect’s residence, authorities seized narcotic pills, an electronic smoking device and cash suspected to be linked to drug sales. Additional quantities of liquid CBD substances were also found at the second defendant’s residence.

Authorities said financial investigations uncovered suspicious international transactions between 2019 and 2024 amounting to around BD1.742 million, allegedly linked to the trafficking operation.