Bahrain’s First High Criminal Court has sentenced a 21-year-old foreign woman to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of BD10,000 after convicting her in a drug smuggling case. The court also ordered the confiscation of the seized substances and her permanent deportation from the Kingdom after serving her sentence. The case began when a customs officer became suspicious of the woman during airport inspection procedures.

According to reports published by Bahraini newspapers, the defendant had arrived in the Kingdom from abroad when her behaviour attracted the attention of a customs officer on duty. She was directed to the red inspection channel for further examination, where officials conducted a more detailed inspection of her personal belongings. The initial search uncovered a suspicious substance concealed among items in her handbag.

Further examination revealed additional indications of a more serious smuggling attempt. Medical imaging showed unusual circular objects inside the woman’s digestive system, prompting the authorities to arrange further medical checks. The defendant was subsequently referred to the relevant anti-narcotics authorities, while medical personnel took the necessary steps to identify and safely remove the concealed objects.

Medical procedures ultimately resulted in the recovery of 100 capsules containing cocaine. Investigators established that the woman had attempted to bring the prohibited substance into Bahrain without legal authorization. Prosecutors also brought a separate allegation involving possession of another controlled substance for personal use. The findings formed part of the evidence considered during the criminal proceedings before the competent court.

Following its examination of the case, the First High Criminal Court handed down a sentence of life imprisonment, a BD10,000 fine, confiscation of the seized drugs and permanent deportation after completion of the prison sentence. The incident highlights the role of customs inspections, security investigations and coordination with medical professionals in detecting sophisticated attempts to smuggle narcotics through international entry points.

Source: Akhbar Al Khaleej