A criminal court sentenced an Asian expatriate to ten years in jail and imposed a fine of QR400,000 for possession of cannabis, also known as marijuana.
The Drug Enforcement Department at the Ministry of Interior received information that an expatriate is using and selling marijuana. The department got permission from the Public Prosecution to launch a search. The accused was found walking in Al Mamoura area and when searched, marijuana was found in a bag he was carrying on his back.
On further investigations, the police found a black bag under his bed with four folders of marijuana and the total quantity of hashish seized was 1.495kgm.
Laboratory investigation confirmed that the materials seized were marijuana but the accused claimed he was not aware that it was marijuana and someone asked him to keep it with him.
Despite the search permission issued by the Public Prosecution, the seriousness of the investigation carried out by the competent authorities and the admission of the accused, the defence lawyer claimed that the accused was innocent and asked the court to acquit him of all charges, Al Sharq reported.
From the way the marijuana was folded in small quantities, the court came to the conclusion that these were prepared for sale.
The court sentenced the accused to ten years in jail, a fine of QR 400,000, confiscation of the drug caught with him and deportation after the execution of the verdict.
