Additional suspect arrested in 100kg drug bust released

Criminal Court has ordered the release of an additional suspect arrested by police in a counter-narcotics operation two weeks back which saw the seizure of over 100 kilograms of heroin. 

Police arrested 10 suspects on October 13, after a 24-hour counter-drug trafficking operation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Department (DED), Drug Intelligence, Marine Police, and Forensics Department.  

The 10-day remand period of three of the suspects expired on Tuesday. Criminal Court decided against extending the remand of one of them; Midhuhath Ibrahim 26, Dheyliyaage, GA. Dhevvadhoo. 

Criminal Court’s media official told Sun that Midhuhath was released due to lack of sufficient evidence to keep him further detained. 

Police have released the identities of eight suspects arrested in the operation, including Midhuhath. The two additional suspects who were arrested – who the police believe to be ringleaders of the drug trafficking operation – were released from police custody by the Criminal Court when presented before the court for their first remand hearing.

The Prosecutor General’s Office has decided against appealing their release with the High Court, have decided against appealing the decision with the High Court, stating that they don’t have the opportunity to submit new evidence in the appeal process, and do not believe appealing the decision based the evidence already submitted will produce a different outcome. 

Police searched multiple uninhabited islands, locations in Male’ City and Hulhumale’, and a liveaboard vessel and a speedboat in the operation. The drugs were found hidden in Bodukaashihura, an uninhabited island located in ADh. Atoll.