Salman Behbehani was busted with a ‘suitcase full’ of drugs in 2021
Salman Behbehani, a professional poker player and former World Poker Tour champion, has been sentenced to six years in a Spanish prison after authorities found a significant quantity of drugs in his luggage upon his arrival in Ibiza. The Balearic Provincial Court also imposed a fine of approximately $32,400 on the Kuwaiti-American player for drug-related offenses.
Behbehani, 37, landed in Ibiza on July 16, 2021, traveling by private jet from Las Vegas with a group of 30 people. Upon his arrival, Spanish authorities conducted an inspection and discovered various illegal substances in his suitcase.
The search reportedly uncovered 315 grams of cocaine, 171 grams of Tusi, 705 grams of hashish, 80 grams of MDMA, and additional quantities of marijuana, LSD, poppers, and other substances. Alongside the drugs, officials found over $20,000 in various currencies, including euros, US dollars, British pounds, Kuwaiti dinars, and Thai baht.
Behbehani, a well-known figure in high-stakes poker, has accumulated nearly $3 million in live tournament earnings throughout his career. He gained international recognition for his skills at the table and was known for competing in some of the most prestigious poker events. His family is among the wealthiest in the Middle East, ranking 19th on Forbes’ list of top family businesses in the region.
The prosecution originally sought a nine-year prison sentence and a fine of $57,200. However, the court handed down a lesser sentence. The case remains open to appeal, meaning Behbehani’s legal team may challenge the ruling before the Superior Court of Justice of the Balearic Islands. For now, the poker pro faces significant time behind bars in Spain.
