Egyptian TV Host and 11 Others Sentenced to Death in Major Drug Trafficking Case
A Cairo court has handed down death sentences to 12 individuals, including prominent television presenter Sarah Khalifa, following a massive narcotics trafficking investigation. Khalifa, 39, who gained fame for hosting the crime and security-focused show "Mission Impossible," was found guilty alongside her co-defendants of establishing a criminal network dedicated to importing illegal substances and manufacturing synthetic narcotics. Authorities reported seizing over 750 kilograms of raw materials and illicit drugs, discovering two private apartments that had been retrofitted into clandestine laboratories.
Beyond the drug charges, the court also confirmed that the group was found in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition. This capital verdict, which follows a mandatory consultation with Egyptâs Grand Mufti, is currently subject to appeal. In addition to the death sentences for the narcotics case, Khalifa and several others received separate five-year prison terms related to the kidnapping and assault of an individual. This ruling highlights the severity of Egyptâs judicial stance on large-scale drug operations, as the nation continues to issue hundreds of death sentences annually for serious crimes, including terrorism and drug-related offenses.