Evidence linked to 130kg drug bust to be presented in September

The Criminal Court has conducted a hearing in relation to the 130 kilos of drugs that were suspected of being smuggled into the Maldives by locals with the help of foreign parties.

The police conducted a sting operation in regards to the information their intelligence had received and discovered 130 kilos of drugs in a boat travelling to the Maldives. Three apartments in Hulhumalé and two houses in Male’ City were also inspected as part of the operation. 

According to the Police, the two leading this drug trade is Shaheeb Ibrahim, aged 42 and Ahmed Moosa, aged 48.

In addition to these two, Aseel Maahir, Anas Hussain and two Bangladeshis, Mohamed Riyadh and Iqbal are also being prosecuted in regards to the matter. A total of three charges are being raised against the six by the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO). This includes allegations on the basis of importing drugs into the Maldives, drug trafficking and the trafficking of diamorphine hydrochloride under Section one of the Maldives Drug Act. If these charges are proven to be true, the accused are to serve a jail sentence of 75 years.

Judge Ahmed Shakeel presided over the case in the hearing the criminal court conducted on Monday. In the following hearings Aseel Maahir is to be put on trial for admitting to the use of cannabis and evidence is to be presented while other charges against him have been discussed in the previous hearing. 

In relation to the prosecution of Anas, both the state and the defense are to bring forth submissions. However, Anas’s lawyer, Ali Shah noted that the basis of the charges against him are yet to be explained.

Judge Shakeel informed that the charges against both Ahmed Moosa and Shaheeb Ibrahim will be discussed as the hearing proceeds and noted that the defense is to present submissions, so that the prosecution can move forward.

During Monday’s hearing, the state had explained the charges raised against Ahmed Moosa and Shaheeb Ibrahim and both parties had denied the accusations made against them.

Along with the three charges raised against Anas Hussain, in addition to crime of drug abuse, he was charged with four criminal offenses. However, noting that all three charges raised against him are of the same degree, Advocate Shah requested that the state elaborate the charges in regards to drug trafficking and the trafficking of diamorphine. Although Advocate Shah was clear on the context of the charges, he highlighted that these charges did not make any sense in the court of law and affirmed that the defense denies these accusations.

While Anas confessed to abusing drugs, the state highlighted that because he was accused of being involved in the drug trade business, he will not receive the eases he is supposed to through the drug court, under the Maldives Drug Act.

Considering this issue, Shaheeb’s lawyer, Adam Asif stated that the charges raised against Shaheeb on the grounds which the state believes he is to be held accountable, contradicts with some laws of liability.

All six accused have denied allegations placed upon them. The state prosecutor informed that they only have one submission for all charges raised. Then, the Judge affirmed that evidence must be presented at the next hearing which is to be held on September 9th at 10:30am.

As the remand of those accused were reviewed at Monday’s hearing as well, the state affirmed that there was no reason of releasing them from remand as no changes were brought to the reasoning behind the allegations placed on them.

In relation to this statement, Aseel Maahir’s lawyer, Shaheed stated that the matter of Aseel being attacked in lock-up is being investigated by the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) and affirmed that the state was negligent in this matter. Aseel Maahir was confirmed to be the captain of the boat that brought the drugs to the Maldives. His lawyer requested for bail, with strict conditions, on the grounds that he was treated with complete negligence in confinement.

The state prosecutor then pointed out that Aseel’s finger was not broken, but it was a soft tissue injury. However, the state highlighted with the doctor’s word, that no injuries claimed by the defense attorney was to be seen. Further, Aseel informed that no doctor had treated his injury and even the court acknowledged that he was not receiving proper treatment and assured that he would as soon as possible.

Moreover, Shaheeb stated that although his doctor has advised him to exercise regularly, the doctor had not revealed specifics nor instructed to let him out of lock-up, according to the Maldives Correctional Service.

The lawyers of the accused had discussed their remand thoroughly in the course of the hearing.  However, when considering the laws under the Criminal Procedure Act, the state prosecutor informed that they cannot be released on bail.

After reviewing the remand of the accused, Judge Shakeel stated that there is no way to ease their confinement.