Suspected drug dealers released on court order, rearrested

Five individuals arrested on drug-related offenses and later released by the Criminal Court has been rearrested once again after the High Court overruled the Criminal Court. 

The five were among a total of seven arrested in a search operation of H. Vaifini due to suspicions of drug trafficking on September 14, 2020. 

The Criminal Court had extended the detention of five arrested in the case on several occasions, before ordering their release.

The individuals arrested are: 

• Mohamed Thagiyyu, Zoom, G. A. Vilingili
• Ahmed Ahnaf Asfaaq, Vaareyvilaa, K. Maafushi
• Mohamed Wisaam, Chichandaage, G. Dh. Vaadhoo
• Amjad Abdul Sattar, Hiyaa, H. A. Nolhivaram
• Emaan Mohamed, Nineflower, G. A. Vilingili

The Criminal Court ordered their release on December 5, after the state requested to extend their detention due to them posing a danger to society. 

The Criminal Court cited that the state had failed to prove the danger. Criminal Court judge Mohamed Misbah ordered the release of the five. 

The state then appealed the matter to the High Court which overruled the Criminal Court order. The High Court stated that the ruling of the lower court was unlawful. 

Out of the five now rearrested, Amjad Abdul Sattar, Ahmed Ahnaf Asfaaq, and Mohamed Wisaam were detained pending the outcome of their trial.

Mohamed Thagiyyu was detained for a period of 15 days after taking into consideration his health condition of diabetes. Emaan Mohamed, due to his psychological condition, was released.

The operation at H. Vaifinige saw the seizure of 28 rubber packets suspected of containing drugs, 42 cans of film filters, 216 pieces of cellophane, 255 pills of controlled drugs, a bottle of alcohol, as well as a large amount of cash, among other items. Drugs discovered during the operation include more than a kilo of cannabis, 108 grams of MDMA, and seven grams of heroin.