Arrested ex-footballer's lawyer denies client's involvement in drugs

Ibrahim Shameel, lawyer of former footballer Shamweel Gasim has claimed police officers did not find narcotics on his possession or any properties linked to him.

A number of people were arrested in the major counter-narcotics operation in the southernmost city where 80 kilograms of drugs were seized on Saturday. Authorities have not disclosed the identities of the individuals taken into police custody.

Confirming Shamweel's arrest, his lawyer refuted reports of some media outlets that Shamweel was arrested with a large drug haul.

Shamweel’s legal representation also noted that he was arrested from Hithadhoo district of the city contrary to media reports claiming he was arrested out at sea.

The lawyer added that his client has given full assurance that he has no links to narcotics. Shamweel urged the media to play a responsible part and report accurate news, his lawyer said.

The drug operation was conducted by the police’s Drug Enforcement Department, Drugs Intelligence Unit, Divisional Intelligence Unit, Marine Police and the South Police Division.

Multiple media outlets reported that Ibrahim Rasheed, an alleged drug kingpin, was among the arrested, he has a crime history and was arrested on a number of occasions previously as well.

Some international media outlets have cited the Anti-Narcotic Force (ANF) from Pakistan, having revealed that the confiscated drugs belong to an “international gang”. However, Police Commissioner Mohamed Hameed has , stated that the operation was “solely on locally developed intelligence and policing work.”