Prosecutors said Khalifa financed part of the scheme, travelled abroad to meet senior network figures and acted as a link between them and the Egyptian members. The group also owned unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

Police investigations recovered roughly 200 kg of synthetic cannabinoids and about 750 kg of production material over about 40 days as the case expanded. The raw chemicals were smuggled from China hidden inside cosmetics containers and luggage.

Forensic analysis identified the drugs as synthetic cannabinoids, including MDMB‑4en‑PINACA, a compound under international control since 2021 because of severe health risks. Egypt’s legal code includes the death penalty for drug trafficking alongside murder and terrorism.

The verdict shows how participation in a large‑scale synthetic‑drug network can trigger the country’s toughest punishment, reflecting Egypt’s strict approach to combatting organised drug crime.