Capital sentence against presenter Sarah Khalifa for drug trafficking network in Egypt
An Egyptian court has handed down a death sentence by hanging against renowned television presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 others involved. The court found them guilty of leading a sophisticated criminal network dedicated to the manufacturing, trafficking, and distribution of synthetic drugs on a large scale.
The case, which has shocked public opinion, is based on the discovery of more than 750 kilograms of illicit substances, in addition to various chemical materials used for their processing. During the operation, the authorities also seized firearms and ammunition that were possessed without the proper legal license.
Profile of the person involved and details of the judicial process
Sarah Khalifa, 39, enjoyed great popularity in Egypt, where she hosted the television program “Mission Impossible,” a show focused on security and crime issues. In addition to her media work, Khalifa is an entrepreneur linked to the aesthetic surgery and event production sector, with an audience of over 2.5 million followers on her digital platforms.
The communicator was detained in Cairo in April 2025. After a complex judicial process involving 28 people, the final verdict was confirmed following the mandatory consultation with the Grand Mufti of Egypt, an indispensable requirement in local legislation to apply the death penalty.
The court ruling sentenced Khalifa and 11 other defendants to death by hanging for forming an organized gang dedicated to drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms.
Operability of the criminal organization
- Criminal structure: The gang operated under a scheme of defined roles, where some members managed the importation of supplies from abroad, while others specialized in manufacturing and distribution.
- Clandestine laboratories: Investigations allowed for the identification of two strategic apartments that functioned as production centers for the substances.
- Evidence: The prosecution presented compelling evidence, including statements from 20 witnesses and digital material such as photographs, videos, and conversation logs.
Of the 28 people initially prosecuted, nine received life sentences, while seven were acquitted of all charges. In addition to the custodial sentences, the court ordered the freezing of all assets and bank accounts of those involved.
Although Sarah Khalifa maintained her stance of innocence throughout the trial, arguing that she had no contact with the substances until the moment of her arrest, the court dismissed her pleas and upheld the sentence after a month of final deliberations.
