Identities of 8 arrested in 100kg drug bust released

Combined photos of (clockwise from top left) Mohamed Ahmed; Ibrahim Zaidh Habeeb; Juman Musthafa; Midhuhath Ibrahim; Ibrahim Sinaan; Mohamed Hussain; MD Rageegul Islam; DM Mobin. (Photo/Maldives Police Service)

Maldives Police Service has released the identities of eight individuals arrested during a counter-drug trafficking operation carried out last Wednesday. The operation was prompted upon receiving intelligence that a large amount of drug was to be trafficked into the Maldives via sea.

The success of the operation was announced by Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed in a tweet on Thursday afternoon. In this regard, he detailed that the well-executed counter-drug trafficking operation was a collaboration of the Drug Enforcement Department (DED), Drug Intelligence, Marine Police, and Forensics Department.

During the operation, police arrested 10 suspects, searched 10 locations and seized approximately 100 kilograms of heroin – within a duration of 24-hours.

Although 10 arrests were made initially – only eight were remanded in police custody by the Court. They are:

Juman Musthafa, 19, Beach Heaven, N. Velidhoo
Ibrahim Zaidh Habeeb, 25, Sosunge, GA. Kolamaafushi
Mohamed Ahmed, 34, Janavareemaage, L. Kalaidhoo
Ibrahim Sinaan, 24, Dear Friend, HDh. Kumundhoo
Mohamed Hussain, 61, Polaris, Dh. Bandidhoo
MD Rafeegul Islam, 35, Bangladesh
DM Mobin, 24, Bangladesh
Midhuhath Ibrahim 26, Dheyliyaage, GA. Dhevvadhoo

Juman, Zaidh and Mohamed Ahmed have been remanded in custody for 10 days. Sinan, Mohamed Hussain, Rafeegul and Mobin have been remanded in custody for 15 days. Midhuhath was remanded in custody for five days.

Two arrested alongside the aforesaid 8 individuals were released by the Criminal Court. Subsequently, the Police have requested the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) to appeal the Court’s decision.

Police further noted that the two released are individuals they suspected to play a lead role in trafficking drugs into the Maldives.

Locations searched by the Police during this operation include some uninhabited islands, Hulhumale’, Male’, some private residences in Male’, a safari and a launch. The drugs discovered in this bust were found hidden at ADh. Bodukaashihuraa, an uninhabited island.

Maldives Police Services’ Drug Enforcement Department is investigating case further.

Following this successful drug bust on Wednesday – the Police had also arrested two individuals with 215 kilos of heroin in a second counter-narcotic operation carried on last Friday. Both individuals arrested have been remanded in police custody for 15 days.