Bangladeshi national sentenced to life imprisonment for smuggling drugs into the Maldives

The Criminal Court has sentenced a Bangladeshi national to life imprisonment following a police investigation into a drug smuggling case.

Following a police investigation, charges of drug trafficking under the Drugs Act have been filed against MD Sohab Mia, a Bangladeshi national.

MD Sohab has been charged with drug trafficking following an incident on June 28, 2024. The charges stem from his arrival at Velana International Airport on US-Bangla Airlines flight BS337, where suspicious items were identified during an X-ray screening of his luggage. Upon further inspection, authorities discovered a packet containing suspected narcotics concealed inside a laptop bag in his possession.

Police stated that laboratory analysis of the seized substances confirmed them to be 535.6632 grams of methamphetamine.

Furthermore, police stated that they have gathered all necessary evidence for the court, including the collection of physical evidence, forensic analysis of the items found, and statements from the officers involved in the case. Based on the police investigation, the Prosecutor General’s Office has charged the individual with the offense of importing a controlled substance listed in Schedule 1 into the Maldives.

Following its review of the case, the Criminal Court has found the defendant guilty. Accordingly, under the Drugs Act, the court sentenced him to 23 years, 3 months, and 25 days in prison, after accounting for time already served in custody during earlier stages of the proceedings. He was also ordered to pay a fine of MVR 100,000.

Police stated that this is a result of the robust collaborative efforts between the Maldives Police Service and other law enforcement agencies to curb drug trafficking into the country. Authorities further noted that special measures are being taken to ensure the strictest legal action is pursued against those involved in the drug trade.