Suspects who used face masks to smuggle drugs into Bahrain to learn their fate on June 15

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Four men, accused of smuggling marijuana by hiding it inside a consignment of face masks exploiting the pandemic, will learn their fate on 15 June 2021. The seizure, officials said, showed the lengths to which smugglers were willing to go. Customs officials had seized undisclosed amounts of marijuana that smugglers tried to transport in using air freight services.

Court files say the suspects, all Asian nationals, hid the illicit drugs with the help of their accomplices abroad before sending them to Bahrain.

However, their attempts failed when customs officials grew suspicious of the 'bulge' in the face masks. Customs officials, however, told the suspects to come and collect their consignment.

Unsuspecting of the trap laid for them, the suspect walked straight into the custody of the police officers, who were quick to make the arrest. During interrogation, the suspects confessed that they were tasked with importing drugs, while two others were responsible for distributing them in Bahrain.

Public prosecution charged the suspects with smuggling and peddling outlawed drugs. Suspects stood trial before the High Criminal Court.

Not the first time!

This, however, is not the first time that smugglers attempted to make use of the ongoing pandemic to their benefit. British customs officers had reported a similar incident where smugglers tried to smuggle in 14 kilograms of cocaine worth more than $1.25 million.

British Interior Ministry found the cocaine wrapped in 15 packages in boxes full of face mask when checked a Polish-registered van bound for Britain. Reports point out that Europe’s cocaine market is worth more than $10 billion.