A hearing for 11 suspects linked to the 61 kilograms drug bust has been scheduled for Sunday.

The hearing has been scheduled for 2:30pm, Sunday.

A joint operation conducted by Police Drug Intelligence, the Drug Enforcement Department and Marine Police on 26 March 2020 saw 61.06 kilograms of heroin seized from a sea vessel "Irualimas".

Maldives Police Service (MPS) revealed that the illicit substances were worth MVR 72 million in total.

The Prosecutor General’s Office revealed that Ahmed Visam was accused of being the leader of a drug trafficking network and smuggling the drugs into Maldives via sea route, with the help of 10 others.

The Criminal Court had reached a verdict to release Visam from custody on 24 January 2021, however, the High Court overturned the verdict.

Other suspects linked to the case are Mohamed Hameed, Mohamed Maaish, Mohamed Shamin, Ahmed Shifaz, Abdulla Sham, Hussain Sunaz, Saudhulla Rasheed, Mohamed Nasheed, Mohamed Maaidh and Mohamed Rishwan.

Charges of trafficking diamorphine were raised against Visam to the Criminal Court, the 10 others arrested with him from aboard the vessel were also being presented with the same charges.

Police also seized money from residences searched in Malé and Hulhumalé believed to be acquired from the sale of such illicit drugs by the network.