Eight suspects in Addu counter-narcotics operation, released
9 އޮކްޓޯބަރު 2020 | ހުކުރު 16:1114 were arrested
The drug operation began on October 1
Eight out of the 14 individuals arrested in connection to the major counter-narcotics operation in early October from Addu City, have been released from police custody.
A media official at the Maldives Police Service (MPS) told RaajjeMV on Friday, that they were released as keeping them in police custody for further investigation, was not believed to be necessary.
One of the individuals released on Friday was Shamweel Gasim, celebrated former footballer.
Abdulla Ibrahim, 33 and Mohamed Yameen Naseer, 23, both native to Hithadhoo district of the southernmost city were remanded pending the outcome of their trial.
The remand period for some of the suspects expired on Friday. Eight of them were released from police custody without presenting them to court, as the police institute found it unnecessary to keep them under their custody.
Further, work is underway to determine the remand of the remaining four suspects.
Police confiscated a total of 98.6 kilograms and arrested 14 individuals in connection to the major counter-narcotics operation in early October. 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 began on October 1 and was 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 Ibrahim, who is an alleged drug kingpin according to police findings.
According to the police, Ibrahim was arrested during July last year as well, 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.
