A Doha Criminal Court has sentenced a GCC man to life imprisonment and a fine of QR300,000 for smuggling illicit drugs into the country.
Local Arabic daily Arrayah reported that the defendant was arrested at Abu Samra Land Post, while trying to enter the country with his vehicle.
Customs officials acted on the basis of information from a neighbouring country that the defendant was trying to smuggle lage quantities of hashish into the country. Accordingly, when he arrived at the post, he was searched thoroughly by the officers in charge there, but nothing illegal was found with him. But a full search of his vehicle revealed 23kg of hashish concealed in the spare tyre.
Ultimately, he was convicted of smuggling illicit drugs into the country for trade purposes. However, the defendant filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal and it is being reviewed.