SC upholds order to keep Shaheeb in remand for duration of trial

The Supreme Court has upheld High Court’s ruling to jail Shaheeb Ibrahim pending the outcome of his trial, in connection to the foiled attempt to smuggle over 100 kilograms of drugs into the Maldives, aboard a fishing vessel.

Shaheeb, council member of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), native to Villingili island in Gaaf Alif atoll, is accused of being one of the ringleaders of drug trafficking network and appealed High Court’s ruling to keep him remanded for the duration of his trial, at the Supreme Court.

During a hearing on Wednesday, the top court upheld the ruling, stating that there is not reason for any amendments to the High Court’s verdict.

The Supreme Court bench that presided over the case includes Justices Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim, Aicha Shujune Mohamed and Mahaz Ali Zahir.

Shaheeb was arrested on October 14, under accusations of involvement in the attempted drug smuggling aboard a fishing vessel outside of Hulhumalé. 130 kilograms of drugs were seized in the operation.

The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) appealed the case at High Court, after Shaheeb’s release was ordered by the Criminal Court, upon being presented to the court for his second remand extension hearing.

A total of seven suspects were arrested in the drug operation, all men, aged between 25 and 48. One of the suspects is a minor.

Shaheeb, one of the suspected masterminds of the smuggling attempt served several top positions in ministries during now incarcerated former President Abdulla Yameen’s tenure. He also vied for the Villingili constituency in the 19th parliament.

Police earlier revealed that Shaheeb was believed to be linked to the drugs confiscated from an Iranian boat found in Maldivian waters, during November 2019.