Police arrest 14, seize drugs weighing 98.6kgs in Addu counter-narcotics operation

Maldives Police Service (MPS) has confiscated a total of 98.6 kilograms and arrested 14 individuals in connection to the major counter-narcotics operation underway in Addu City.

The suspects arrested in the case are aged between 23 and 40, some of the narcotics seized include MDMA, and amphetamines and heroin.

The counter-narcotics operation has been ongoing since October 1 and is being carried out by officers from the Drug Enforcement Department (DED), Drugs Intelligence Unit, Divisional Intelligence Department, Marine Police, and South Police Division after an intelligence report of attempted drug smuggling via sea route.

The smuggling was being attempted by a group of Maldivians in cooperation with international traffickers and is led by Abdulla Ibrahim, 33, who is an alleged drug kingpin according to police findings.

According to the police, Ibrahim was arrested during July last year under similar accusations of smuggling and trafficking drugs. The institute had concluded investigations and forwarded the case for prosecution, however, the alleged drug kingpin was released by the Criminal Court during September the same year, after having been charged for drug smuggling and trafficking.

Ibrahim and Mohamed Yameen Naseer, 23, both native to Hithadhoo district of the southernmost city were presented to the Hithadhoo Magistrate Court for their remand hearings on Sunday following which they were ordered to be kept in remand pending the outcome of their trial.

Out of the remaining suspects, those whose remand hearings have been concluded have been remanded for a five-day period.

Earlier, police revealed that the operation is being conducted, “solely on locally developed intelligence and policing work”. As such, the Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed has since stated that they will be collaborating with international partners as the investigation progresses, having assured that the institute intends to bring an end to the supply of drugs to the island nation.

Also on Sunday, the Maldives Customs Service revealed that they detained five foreigners in possession of narcotics. They had attempted to smuggle drugs hidden inside their bodies and had arrived in the country on September 11.

Detained include four Pakistani nationals, aged 22, 30, 34 and 41 respectively. The operation was conducted jointly with the police after noticing suspicious behavior. Upon further inspection at the hospital, 81 bullets containing suspected heroin were found inside their bodies.

The drugs weighed 791 grams and have a street value of MVR 632,800.

The fifth individual was a Kenyan woman who arrived in the Maldives on September 29. Officers found 53 bullets filled with drugs, on her.

The five suspects along with the confiscated drugs have been transferred to police custody for further investigation.