Police disclose details of drug operation that led to arrest of “high-profile drug trafficker"

Maldives Police Service (MPS) has revealed details in the drug operation that led to the arrest of “a high-profile drug trafficker.”

Police Commissioner Mohamed Hameed had on Tuesday, via Twitter, announced the arrest of the high-profile trafficker. He said that the man was caught in a joint operation by the police’s Drug Enforcement Department (DED), Drug Intelligence and the Upper-North Division.

They are to have seized 6.023 kgs of drugs in the bust; the drug are to have been found inside the backpacks they were carrying.

Police have since revealed that a total of five suspects were arrested in the operation, from capital Malé City. They are; Mohamed Faisal, Ali Hassan and Abdulla Ibrahim from Addu City’s Hithadhoo district, as well as Ahmed Rauf and Ahmed Mamdhooh from Hoarafushi island of Haa Alifu atoll.

All five have criminal records, including over possession and trafficking. They have been since remanded by 15 days; one of the suspects is to have taken responsibility for the drugs at the remand hearing.

Abdulla Ibrahim was previously arrested eight times in drug-related operations, and twice over violence. In addition, he was arrested for attempting sexual coercion, as well as over a gang rape case. He is the “high-profile drug trafficker” mentioned by the police commissioner.

Ali Hussain has been arrested in drug-related operations nine times, as well as over violence and purposely damaging or destroying property.

Mohamed Faisal was also arrested twice over possession, and once for disobedience. In addition, he was arrested over violence.

Ahmed Rauf was arrested once over possession and disobedience before, and thrice over robbery.

Lastly, Ahmed Mamdhooh was previously arrested over possession once. While he was also arrested for using explosives, he was found guilty of this in 2015 and sentenced to 17 years in prison. The High Court nullified the lower court ruling, and freed him last October.