A criminal court in Qatar has sentenced three people to jail for five years and imposed a fine of QR200,000 each after they were convicted of opium trade and abuse.

The court has also ordered their deportation after the prison term, Gulf Times reported.

The three accused have admitted to possessing opium and tramadol for use and trading. Medical examination confirmed narcotics abuse by them, the report states.

The Narcotics Combating Department had arrested the three in an operation after a tip-off from a source.

Qatar has been intensely cracking down on drug dealers and abusers lately. What do you think of this sentence - harsh or not?