Drug trafficking suspect remanded

A woman arrested for drug trafficking, has been remanded.

The Prosecutor General’s Office (PG Office) sought the remand of the 21-year-old Maldivian woman, at the Criminal Court.

The case involves a man and a woman who were arrested from a house in the congested capital, Malé City back in February this year, over alleged drug trafficking attempts.

The woman has been charged with drug trafficking.

Officers who raided the residence confiscated 200grams of cannabis, alongside meth and diamorphine.

The Criminal Court has remanded the suspect for a 10-day period, based on sufficient evidence submitted against the accused.

The circumstances under which the remand was ordered were based on Article 49 of the Constitution and Sections 59 and 60 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which indicates that if released on bail, the safety of the community would be at risk.

Further, the reason that the condition for her remand is present is that the requirements stated in Sections 13(c) 1, 3, and 4 of the Code of Criminal Procedure relating to trial are met.

During the hearing, the state attorney is to have stated that the police had submitted the case with the PG Office after wrapping up investigations, and that the office had accepted it.

The state attorney also revealed that the matter must be referred to the court within the stipulated time frame for filing the charges.

The defence attorney argued that instead of giving time until the trial concludes, the judge that took on the case should have decided on the matter.

The PG Office sought the remand of the 29-year-old man arrested in connection with the case, on April 25.

The remand order reads that sufficient evidence was submitted to prove the charges against the man including witness statements, investigation reports and other evidence.

During the hearing, the state attorney had revealed that the PG Office would take up the case to prosecute him.