A Doha Criminal Court has sentenced a Brazilian man to seven years in jail and a fine of QR200,000 for transporting 2 kilos of the illicit drug cocaine.
Local Arabic daily Arrayah reported yesterday that the defendant was a transit traveller who came to Doha through Hamad International Airport, heading to another country. The policeman on duty at the security area doubted the behaviour of the defendant, as there was an abnormal swelling on his right thigh.
A full body search of the defendant revealed that cocaine was found hidden inside a short pants, similar to that used by divers. The defendant admitted possession of the drug and claimed it was only for personal use and not meant for trade.
Upon the expiry of the jail term of the defendant, he would be deported, according to the verdict of the court.

Partial closure of lanes on Salwa Road
As part of its efforts to install message signs Ashghal will temporarily close four lanes of the Salwa Road stretch between the West Industrial Interchange and East Industrial Interchange for six hours starting from 12 midnight on April 15. The closure will be made for approximately one kilometre between the two mentioned interchanges on the direction towards Doha.
During the period, traffic will be diverted to the service road for those vehicles coming from Bu Samra towards Doha (as shown in the attached map).

Emir condoles
with Saudi King
HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, HH the Deputy Emir  Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al–Thani and HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani have sent cables to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia condoling the death of Princess Sarah bint Saud al-Kabeer.

Assistant FM meets Polish official
HE the Assistant Foreign Minister for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad al-Meraikhi yesterday met the Undersecretary of State of Poland Katarzyna Kacperczyk in Doha yesterday. They discussed bilateral relations and ways of developing them, and means of enhancing the prospects of co-operation between the two countries.

Blood donation campaign
Al Khalij Commercial Bank (Al Khaliji) in association with Hamad Medical Corporation’s Blood Donor Centre recently organised a blood donation campaign, at the Umm Lukhba branch close to Landmark mall.
The initiative under the slogan ‘Make Every Drop Count’ came as part of Al Khaliji’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme. The bank had earlier organised similar blood donation campaigns, including one to support the ‘World Blood Donor Day’ last year.