A Saudi prince was arrested for possession of cocaine last week during a "routine search" of passengers at Beirut airport. He was said to be carrying 16.3 grams of the drug, worth around $1,600.

The 51-year-old prince, who was identified only by his initials – YBAA – reportedly said the cocaine was for his own use and he had "got it from a friend who is currently in Saudi Arabia". 

Following a diplomatic flap involving the Saudi embassy he was released on bail – which for all practical purposes means he will not be prosecuted but may have to stay away from Lebanon for a while.

The "BAA" part of his initials is presumably short for "bin Abdul Aziz", indicating that he is one of the many grandsons or great-grandsons of Saudi Arabia's first king.

Saudi Arabia itself has some of the world's most draconian anti-drug laws – at least where non-royals are concerned. Foreigners arriving at Saudi airports are presented with an immigration card which warns, in red ink, that the penalty for drug trafficking is death. Over the years, dozens if not hundreds have been executed in the kingdom for drug offences, most of them foreigners.

However, the attitude towards princes who get involved in drugs seems to be more relaxed.

Three years ago, another Saudi prince – Nayef bin Fawaz al-Shaalan, a grandson of the first king and son-in-law of the deputy defence minister – was convicted in his absence by a French court and sentenced to 10 years in jail, plus a $100 million fine, in connection with smuggling two tons of cocaine from Colombia to Paris. He was said to have used his diplomatic status and a Boeing 727 jet belonging to the Saudi royal family to transport the drugs.

He was also indicted in the United States on charges of conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine. Neither France nor the US was able to extradite him from Saudi Arabia. The prince protested his innocence and said he had been cleared of wrongdoing by the Saudi authorities.

Posted by Brian Whitaker, 30 March 2010.