The First Section of the Provincial Court of the Balearic Islands celebrates in Palma for three consecutive days, starting this Monday at 09:30 am, the trial against Salman Behbehani, a 35-year-old Kuwaiti poker player who was caught at Ibiza airport trying to introduce a large amount of drugs. The Public Prosecutor’s Office has requested for him nine years in prison and a fine of 53,000 euros, alleging that the facts represent a serious crime against public health.
Airport Screening and Seized Substances
The incident occurred on July 16, 2021, when Behbehani landed in Ibiza on a private flight from Las Vegas, in which he arrived with 30 people. During the inspection in the scanner area, agents of the Tax Agency and Tax and Borders of the Civil Guard found 83 grams of cocaine, 348 grams of ketamine, 52 grams of MDMA and 543 grams of cannabis in his luggage, substances whose market value reached 26,514 euros. In addition, he was carrying 8,000 euros in cash and money in other currencies, increasing the value of the undeclared goods.
Defendant’s Profile and Media Relevance
Salman Behbehani is no stranger to the poker world, with estimated earnings of about three million dollars in live tournaments, including a prize of 600,000 euros in the Main Event of the Partouche Poker Tour, according to specialized media. In addition, the Behbehani family, to which the accused belongs, is one of the richest in Kuwait, ranked 19th in the Top 100 Arab business families in the Middle East according to Forbes magazine. The case has been arousing great media interest due to the notoriety and wealth of his family.
Prosecutor’s request
The prosecution claims that the seized substances were intended for distribution on the island, and since it is a crime against public health, it is asking for a prison sentence of nine years. After his arrest, the poker player was imprisoned.
Months later he was released on probation pending trial.
