The Anti-Narcotics Department of the Ministry of Interior successfully aborted an attempt to smuggle drugs into the country via the sea route recently. Coast Surveillance team of Qatar's Coast Guard and Patrolling Department spotted in their radar drug traffickers cruising along in a fast boat. The boat with three men on board was reportedly coming from a West Asian country and was headed towards Qatar’s territorial waters that night. The traffickers were intending to berth near Ras Al Nouf natural harbour near Al Khor city. A force comprising Coastal Guards and Anti-Narcotic Department officials cordoned off the landing site as the traffickers, unaware of the trap, approached the site. When the culprits stopped their boat and began unloading the consignment, the joint force swooped on them. The armed peddlers attempted to resist arrest and fired at the force, but eventually gave up realising there was no chance of escaping. The operation led to the seizure of huge quantity of hashish concealed inside three sacks and weapons from the traffickers. The suspects were referred to the public prosecution who in turn produced them in the Upper Criminal Court for trial. During the court deliberation that began here last week, officers who had participated in the operation were summoned as key witnesses. The accused also attended the trail along with the seized drug and weapons which were produced in the court. The bench headed by Salah Sheriff adjourned the trial for further hearing of key witnesses. The Pen

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