KUWAIT CITY, April 14:  The Court of App-eals overturned the verdict of the Misdemeanor Court, which had previously sentenced an expatriate to 15 years in prison for smuggling opium into the country for sale and consumaption.

Attorney Abdullah Al-Alanda, lawyer for the accused, asked the court to acquit his client due to lack of incriminating evidence and no investigation has been conducted.  He argued the officer in charge of the case should have stated in the report or the investigations file of the Public Prosecution that his client smuggled opium for the purpose of selling and personal consumption.  He said the small amount of opium confiscated from the accused means it was given to him for free and he had no intention to sell it. 

After weighing the arguments and pieces of evidence presented by both sides, the court ruled in favor of the accused, resulting in his acquittal.

Syrian arrested in possesion of 300 unlicensed guns: Police have arrested a Syrian man in possession of 300 unlicensed hunting guns and referred him to the State Security Department, reports Al-Rai daily. An Asian working in a farm in Wafra reportedly saw the Syrian loading the guns into his truck and informed his sponsor who in turn called the Operations Department of the Interior Ministry. Police then promptly rushed to the location and arrested the Syrian who admitted to trading in guns. Police will summon his sponsor for questioning.