A Cairo criminal court has sentenced Egyptian television presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 co-defendants to death by hanging, convicting them of forming an organized criminal gang involved in manufacturing and trafficking narcotics. The verdict was issued on Saturday after the defendants were found guilty of charges related to procuring and trafficking drugs.

Khalifa, 39, was known for hosting the security and crime program “Mission Impossible” on the private Al-Mehwar TV channel. The case involved 28 defendants in total, with the court also sentencing nine others to life imprisonment and acquitting seven individuals. The investigation reportedly uncovered over 750 kilograms of narcotics.

Prosecutors stated that the gang imported raw materials from abroad to manufacture synthetic drugs, utilizing residential properties for storage and production. The group allegedly divided roles for procurement, manufacturing, and distribution. Authorities also seized unlicensed firearms and ammunition during the investigation. Khalifa, who also owned a cosmetic surgery clinic and an event planning company, maintained a significant social media presence with over two million Instagram followers.

During the court proceedings, Khalifa reportedly denied the charges, asserting her innocence and stating she had "never smoked a cigarette in my life." Media reports indicated she was weeping and pleaded for mercy, highlighting her upbringing and religious background.

The death sentences were issued after the court consulted Egypt's grand mufti, as required by law for capital cases. The verdict can be appealed before the Court of Cassation, with defendants having two avenues for appeal, including a request for a retrial before an appeals court, under recent judicial reforms.

Khalifa was arrested in April 2025 as part of the ongoing investigation into the drug trafficking ring. In a separate legal development on the same day, the same court sentenced Khalifa to three years in prison for assaulting and filming her driver.

Egypt imposes the death penalty for serious offenses including drug trafficking, terrorism, and premeditated murder. The sentencing of a public figure like Khalifa in such a case draws significant attention to the country's ongoing efforts to combat drug-related crime.

This case underscores the severity with which Egyptian authorities are treating drug trafficking operations. The scale of the narcotics involved and the alleged sophistication of the criminal network, as described by prosecutors, point to a significant challenge in controlling illicit drug manufacturing and distribution networks within the country.