Property owner charged for refusal to halt ‘drug café'

A property owner in Male’ City has been charged under Drugs Act for refusal to shut down a ‘drug café' on his property, despite instructions by authorities. 

Prosecutor General’s Office filed the charge against the owner of Brightflower, located in Maafannu district of Male’ City, with the Criminal Court this Thursday. 

Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem said the property is suspected of being rented out to be run as a 'café' for drug users. 

The owner of the property has been charged under Article 127 (b) of Drugs Act. 

Article 127 (b) declares it an offence to receive, retain or use any property or money, knowing or having reason to believe that such property or money are direct proceeds of an offence of drug peddling or trafficking or obtained by result of having committed such an offence. 

The crime is punishable with imprisonment for a term of three years and an MVR 10,000-MVR 1 million fine. 

Brightflower is a notorious 'drug cafe' in Male' City. Police allowed the press to accompany them on a raid of Brightflower and other such properties specifically used as ‘drug cafes’ back in 2019, during which multiple suspects were arrested red-handed.