The first chamber of the Red Sea Criminal Court referred the papers of six defendants to the Grand Mufti on 7 November 2026 to obtain a religious opinion on executing them.[1] The court set a hearing next month to pronounce sentence in light of the Mufti’s opinion and the case file.[1]

Prosecutors accused the six of forming a gang that specialised in trading and smuggling hashish in Ras Gharib district, Red Sea Governorate.[1] An operation by the Red Sea anti-narcotics office targeting the desert areas around Ras Gharib city seized about a tonne and a half of hashish, along with a number of firearms and ammunition.[1] Investigators said the first and second defendants ran the group’s finances and divided roles among its members, while the gang moved drugs by sea from the South Sinai coast and Suez Gulf to the Red Sea coast and stored them in prepared sites in desert valleys and mountain tracks.[1]

The charges included possessing, carrying and transporting hashish and dried cannabis plant for trafficking without a licence, and possessing machine guns and ammunition.[1] Prosecutors also accused the defendants, by incitement and agreement, of assaulting anti-narcotics officers and resisting them during their duties.[1] The case is registered as number 1363 of 2025 for the Red Sea prosecution office, and the alleged offences are dated 11 January 2025 in Ras Gharib police district.[1] The Public Prosecution referred the defendants to the first-instance criminal court, ordering their arrest and detention, service of the charges and evidence list, and the attachment of their criminal records.[1]