The expat faces a QAR.200,000 fine and deportation

An expat was found guilty and sentenced to imprisonment for dealing drugs through WhatsApp, according to Qatar’s Criminal Court.

The unidentified dealer was found with 32 packets of hashish and 70 capsules used to treat nerve pain with a dangerous psychoactive substance. 

Read more: Customs police thwart narcotic pills smuggling attempt

The accused had connected with a dealer outside Qatar to find the location of the hidden drugs and would then sell them to local residents via the popular messaging app, WhatsApp. 

The court sentenced the dealer to five years in jail and a fine of QAR.200,000 after which he will be deported to his home country. 

This is not the first time authorities have stopped the dealing of drugs in the country. 

In October, the Air Cargo and Private Airports Customs in Qatar thwarted an attempt to smuggle illegal narcotic pills into the country. 

The illegal substances were found hidden inside the shoe’s sole which were packed in personal cargo. Narcotic drugs, or opioids, are only used for severe pain and can lead to death when they are not used properly for their intended purposes.

Read also: Dubious movement of funds leads to arrest of money laundering suspects

The customs authority has been keeping a closer eye on illegal drug smuggling attempts seizing illegal goods on numerous occasions in recent months.

Earlier in the same month, they foiled a marine drug smuggling attempt of prohibited tobacco at the Hamad Port.

In August alone, the authority recorded a total of successful 557 missions, where they managed to compound large quantities of illegal drugs.

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