Three major charges have been raised against Council member of opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), Shaheeb Ibrahim, over his alleged involvement in the foiled attempt to smuggle over 100 kilograms of drugs into the Maldives, aboard a fishing vessel.

The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) charged him over three major offences including trafficking diamorphine, trafficking drugs as well as smuggling drugs into the Maldives.

Shaheeb stands to face a jail sentence of 75 years, if he is found guilty of the charges.

Alongside the charges raised against the opposition council member, PGO also alleged that Shaheeb is the ringleader of a major drug network.

On December 9, the Supreme Court upheld the High Court’s ruling to jail Shaheeb pending the outcome of his trial, linked to the drug bust of 130 kilograms confiscated by officers aboard a fishing vessel.

As such, the top court ruled that there is “no reason” to bring any amendments to the High Court verdict. 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.

Shaheeb was arrested on October 14.

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.