100kg drug bust: Remand of 5 suspects extended

Criminal Court has extended the remand of suspects arrested by police in a counter-narcotics operation early October 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.   

Only five remain in custody. They are:

• Juman Musthafa, 19, Beach Heaven, N. Velidhoo
• Mohamed Ahmed, 34, Janavareemaage, L. Kalaidhoo
• Mohamed Hussain, 61, Polaris, Dh. Bandidhoo
• MD Rafeegul Islam, 35, Bangladesh
• DM Mobin, 24, Bangladesh

The court on Friday extended the remand of all suspects except for Rafeegul by 15 days, and extended Rafeegul’s remand by five days.

Five of the suspects released from custody include the two people who police to be the ringleaders. Police have not released their identities, and the Prosecutor General’s Office has decided against appealing their release.

The court later released Midhuhath Ibrahim, 26, Dheyliyaage, GA. Dhevvadhoo, on October 26; and Ibrahim Zaid Habeeb, 25, Sosunge, GA. Kolamaafushi, and Ibrahim Sinan, 24, Dear Friend, HDh. Kumundhoo on October 28.

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.