Smuggler hides 12 alcohol bottles in trouser, held

He was nabbed by Saudi authorities at King Fahd Causeway

Manama

 Saudi authorities recently arrested a man attempting to smuggle alcohol into Saudi Arabia through King Fahd Causeway, it was reported.

 The man apparently hid 12 bottles of alcohol in secret pockets he made in his trousers, while on his way to Saudi Arabia from Bahrain.

 King Fahd Causeway Saudi Customs Head Fahad Al Otaibi said an officer felt suspicious about a traveler, which prompting him to search the former.

 Several Saudi news agencies quoted Al Otaibi, saying, “The officer found 12 bottles in 12 pockets stitched on his trousers, six in the front and six behind. The smuggler wore a loose fitting traditional white thobe that concealed the bottles.”

 Comments showered following the report, most of them labeling the smuggler as “naïve” and “stupid” for his attempt, even though it was highly unusual.

 Many stated that he should have known that it’s not easy to fool the experienced officers. The officers ask male drivers and passengers to get off the vehicle to inspect, and so attempting something like this was ridiculous, some commented.

 Vehicles going from Bahrain to Saudi Arabia go through customs only at the Saudi side, while vehicles entering Bahrain are only checked at the Bahraini side of the causeway.

 The 25-kilometre King Fahd Causeway, which was opened in November 1986, is used by about 30,000 people every day to travel between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, making it one of the busiest traffic sectors in the Arab world.

 Smuggling attempts via the causeway have included explosives, weapons, detonators, drugs, wild animals, and birds often stashed in wooden boxes.

 Only three days back, a large quantity of smuggled birds were confiscated, while being taken to Saudi Arabia from Bahrain, according to Saudi media.