MANAMA, 19 February 2007 — A daring smuggling operation to get alcohol into Saudi Arabia via the King Fahd Causeway went bad Saturday night when the smuggler vehicle caught fire en route. The smuggler, believed to be a Bahraini, abandoned the car and hitched a ride back after the station wagon he was driving caught fire on the causeway while he was attempting to get proper insurance to proceed to passport, vehicle inspection, and customs. Fire fighters were able to douse the minor blaze quickly but they were surprised to discover that more than 24 bottles of alcohol had been hidden in various parts around the engine. One of the bottles leaked its content after it broke causing an electrical short, which triggered the blaze. A further inspection revealed that the “daring” smuggler was driving a car that had been reported stolen two months earlier. Bahraini police are attempting to identify the smuggler.
