Danger Junkies Smuggle Heineken Disguised as Pepsi into Saudi Arabia
By Sunny Shores
@SunnyShores (201)
Boone, North Carolina
November 14, 2015 3:28am CST
How far would you go for a drink? And is it the drink you really want - or the thrills & excitement of the covert nature of the pastime?
That's a really good self-reflection question to ask one's self - especially if one has been caught smuggling 48,000 cans of Heineken into Saudi Arabia along the UAE border. He faces sever flogging for the crime. The cans were disguised as cans of Pepsi. Video reveals the clever and very authentic looking wrappers. Recently, a 74 year old British grandpa was caught with illegal wine and faces flogging. Saudi Arabia is not well known for it's lenient criminal justice system. Would you do that far for a drink?
9 people like this
9 responses
@Rationalwriter (1813)
• Lucknow, India
14 Nov 15
Read this news and was shocked at it!!!
I don't think I will go this far!!!! I will say though,that it was a damn clever trick!!
@SunnyShores (201)
• Boone, North Carolina
14 Nov 15
Clever for a little while - but a secret that good is hard to keep. Someone's bound to have tipped off customs agents - or maybe one agent got thirsty.....??? wish the news told us more!
3 people like this
@bookbar (1609)
• Sudbury, England
14 Nov 15
Having had an Arab sister in law from Bahrain, I well know that the biggest culprits for this kind of trade, are actually the Saudi people themselves, who nip over to Bahrain and others ,order their tipples for Ramadan, get them re-packaged and then flog the stuff to others, not making it a blatantly obvious practice, of course, but the Saudis' tend to turn a blind eye to their own 'wrongdoers' and target foreigners to make examples of, as is their way.
4 people like this
@SunnyShores (201)
• Boone, North Carolina
15 Nov 15
From the tales abroad from the ME I've heard around expat nooks, I'd agree. Doesn't encourage me to want to work there!
1 person likes this
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
14 Nov 15
I'm not sure why you call them danger junkies (except, perhaps that they are people who like to fly in the face of danger by flouting laws).
I certainly wouldn't travel any further than the nearest pub or off licence to get a drink - and it would NOT be Heineken, which, in this country, is like the urine of a biting insect.
Saudi is said to be a good holiday resort but I don't think that I have any inclination to travel there.
3 people like this
@SunnyShores (201)
• Boone, North Carolina
15 Nov 15
Well, yes, the language is a bit eye catching - although if you want to be a tourist you have to be Muslim. I've heard the only way to get in is via a business or workpermit visa arrangement. Or marriage. Bridal holiday anyone?
1 person likes this
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
14 Nov 15
The 74 year old escaped the flogging and is back in England for Christmas I am thankful to see. I know what he did was pretty stupid but the punishment was out of all proportion.
3 people like this
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
16 Nov 15
@SunnyShores we have to appreciate living in a country where justice is fair and not cruel. I expect the pensioner looks at his country of birth now with a much more appreciate view.
1 person likes this
@SunnyShores (201)
• Boone, North Carolina
11 Jan 16
@41CombedaleRoad yes indeed! travel will me you appreciate home all the more!
@SunnyShores (201)
• Boone, North Carolina
15 Nov 15
@41CowbedaleRoad So glad to hear that !! and yes, it was clearly a disproportional punishment - so sad :( for the rest
2 people like this
@SunnyShores (201)
• Boone, North Carolina
11 Jan 16
@LadyDuck - absolutely! It's not as if the Saudi Reputation isn't well established!
1 person likes this
@SunnyShores (201)
• Boone, North Carolina
15 Nov 15
Fantastic news @Auntylou - so so glad to hear it!
1 person likes this
@SunnyShores (201)
• Boone, North Carolina
14 Nov 15
For real @Rationalwriter all that focus & energy put into a constructive goal... far greater yield of return I'm sure!
3 people like this
@SunnyShores (201)
• Boone, North Carolina
11 Jan 16
@euphie Indeed! Living under restrictions are tough - but not as tough for those born into it. I lived in Malaysia for 2 years and it seemed those born into the system don't chaff as much under the cuff.
@Missmwngi (12926)
• Nairobi, Kenya
14 Nov 15
I would never go that far for a drink
3 people like this
@SunnyShores (201)
• Boone, North Carolina
14 Nov 15
I'm in your corner @Missmwngi
3 people like this
