A massive drug haul with an estimated street value of BD200 million ($526.7 million) has been seized by Bahraini authorities.

The smuggling operation, considered the largest in the region, was foiled by the Interior Ministry's Anti-narcotics Directorate in co-operation with regional authorities, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

One of the masterminds involved in the drug trafficking has been arrested and the narcotics, 24 million Captagon pills, confiscated, revealed Interior Ministry Anti-narcotics Director Colonel Mubarak Bin Huwail Al Murri.

“The seizure, the largest shipment in the history of the Gulf, was carried out after Bahraini detectives, in co-operation with some other regional authorities, tracked and monitored the shipment through several countries until it reached Bahrain,” he told the ministry's Al Amn Magazine.

“Clever planning and meticulous execution led to the gang members' arrest at the King Fahad Causeway in Bahrain, in co-operation with Saudi authorities.

“This was monitored after a tip-off from the country of origin.

“They were followed through several other nations before they arrived in Bahrain, en route to Saudi Arabia.”

The ministry also seized large quantities of heroin and investigated many cases of marijuana trafficking.

“After years of experience, we now have clear information on the sources of production and smuggling zones,” said Col Al Murri.

“We also are aware that heroin is smuggled in capsules that the traffickers swallow, only to be taken out later.”

Investigators have also uncovered the latest drug trafficking methods, including smuggling shabu, also known as Methamphetamine, through unconventional methods such hiding them in ashtrays.

“A top shabu dealer was arrested as he left his village and the arrest took place after he was followed and an intermediary was taken in,” said Col Al Murri.

“We convinced this man to co-operate with us and he led us to the main mastermind.

“A trap was set for him and he was caught passing on the shabu to a buyer along with a large amount of cash.

“His home was also later searched and more shabu was found there.”

He added that policemen were also tipped off by informants on the emergence of a new trafficking route through an Asian country.

However, Col Al Murri did not reveal more details.

“Following the trail and information, four cases were discovered at Bahrain International Airport,” he said.

“Those arrested co-operated with the department and more suspects were detained inside and outside the airport later.”

Meanwhile, Col Al Murri also spoke of a case in which 2.5kg of heroin worth thousands of dinars was seized from an apartment in Manama.

Investigations revealed that four Pakistani nationals ingested heroin capsules and arrived in Bahrain on four separate flights.

He said the men were kept under 24-hour surveillance before police raided the flat.

“Investigations also confirmed that the people who came from Pakistan were only small fry and that the real kingpins were the people who had rented the apartment in Manama,” he added.

“Soon, all the men were together and officials raided the apartment and arrested them - the couriers were nabbed and so were the kingpins,” he added.

He said one of the men arrested had 27 mobile SIM cards on him and rarely used the same number twice.

Col Al Murri said the directorate has been focusing on promoting a narcotic-free society with awareness activities at schools, universities, clubs and youth centres, in addition to conducting lectures and seminars. - TradeArabia News Service