Charges have been pressed against the seven suspects arrested in relation to the 98kg drug bust in southernmost Addu City.

Prosecutor General (PG) Hussain Shameem announced that 10 charges have been raised against the seven, describing the group as a “big drug trafficking network in the south”.

While the charges were forwarded to the Hithadhoo Magistrate Court, the PG expressed hope that the court will move forward with the trial without any delays.

Commending the police on its thorough investigation as well as PG Office’s Drug Unit on their work, Shameem said that “the next step is to present a strong case to court”.

A total of 14 suspects were arrested in relation to the counter-narcotics operation conducted in the south back on October. Seven were released shortly after arrest, with claims that there was not enough evidence to prove their involvement in the drug trafficking operation.

The seven suspects charged are; Abdulla Ibrahim, Mohamed Yameen Naseer, Hussain Simaah, Abdulla Saeed, Hassan Amir, Rushan Ahmed and Hoodh Latheef.

Three charges were raised against Ibrahim, whom police had previously revealed as the suspected kingpin of the entire network. While he has been charged with drug smuggling, drug trafficking and diamorphine trafficking, the two charges against Yameen are drug trafficking and diamorphine trafficking. Simaah, Saeed and Amir are charged with drug smuggling while Rushan and Hoodh are charged as accomplices.

All seven are native to the city’s Hithadhoo district.