The Criminal Court has extended the remand period for two individuals arrested and remanded under accusations of being involved in a drug smuggling and trafficking network.

The two men were arrested following an operation by the Police Intelligence Unit and the Drug Enforcement Department on June 14, where six kilograms of drugs were confiscated from Hulhumalé. Initially, three were arrested and officers conducted raids in locations linked to the three. However, one was released as officers had not found anything related to narcotics, anywhere related to the suspect.

Arrested in the operation were Mohamed Shareef, 43, native to Vaadhoo island in Gaaf Dhaal atoll and Afsal Rasheed, 33, native to Kolamaafushi island in Gaaf Alif atoll.

According to the police, Shareef has a criminal record in connection to drug cases and he was previously arrested under the accusations of being actively involved in a major drug trafficking network.

Their remand period was extended by 15 days on June 30 and they are to be remanded at a facility decided by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Their remand periods will end on July 15.