Ministry of Health Assistant Undersecretary for Primary Healthcare, Dr. Mariam A. Al-Jalahma, stated that the Directorate of Public Health received a report from Consumer Protection Directorate informing about an illicit consignment of banned tobacco products imported into Bahrain and sold in Manama. A team of anti-tobacco inspectors hurried to the location where they joined with an inspector from Consumer Protection Directorate and an officer from Customs Affairs who led the team to a labour accommodation in Manama and provided them with information on the suspected dealer. The group of inspectors monitored the area surrounding the home for three days and verified the tip-offs and the correctness of the reported information regarding the quantity of stored contraband products and investigated about the person accountable for the consignment.
The judicial control officer from the Ministry of Health obtained permission from the Public Prosecution before inspecting the home. The inspection process was implemented in cooperation with Al-Naeem Police Station.
Dr. Marian Al-Jalahma stated that the group of inspectors from the Ministry of Health caught 650 kilograms of contraband goods in the room of an Asian man, namely chewable tobacco and Indian incense as well as unlicensed cigarettes illicitly imported into Bahrain in breach of Articles No: 3, 11 and 18 of the Anti-smoking Law whose fine could reach up to BD 5000.
Dr. Mariam Al-Jalahma added that the Ministry of Health inspectors compiled a judicial control minutes in which they confirmed the violations and quantity of contraband goods and also heard testimonies from suspects and witnesses and included these testimonies in the minutes recorded and promptly referred them to the Public Prosecution in order to take legal actions.
Dr. Mariam Al-Jalahma expressed gratitude and appreciation to the Ministry of Interior-affiliated Al-Naeem Police Station, the Customs Affairs, the Consumer Protection Directorate for their fruitful cooperation with the Ministry of Health.