Police release identities of 3 arrested in 12 kilo drug bust

Police have released the identities of three suspects arrested in a counter-narcotics operation conducted by the police earlier this week. 

The operation was conducted by Counter-Narcotics Intelligence Department, Drug Enforcement Department, and Marine Police on March 14. 

Police seized 12.6 kilos of drugs and arrested three suspects in the operation, which was conducted in Male’, Hulhumale’ Phase I, Hulhumale’ Phase II, and at sea. 

The identities of the three suspects arrested in the case were released by police on Thursday. They are: 

• Mohamed Abdul Latheef, 30, Mariyaz, N. Velidhoo 

• Smash KA Cristian Kuti, 37, India 

• Kavsar Alam, 30, Bangladesh 

Police searched a house in Male’, a guesthouse in Hulhumale’, and a speedboat in the operation. 

When presented before the Criminal Court for their remand hearing, the court ordered for Abdul Latheef to be detained in a facility determined by the Home Ministry for 10 days, and for the other two suspects to be detained for 15 days. 

Police believe Smash KA Cristian Kuti, who is married to a Maldivian and resides in Maldives, to be the ringleader of the operation. 

Police said that he had previously been arrested with a large quantity of drugs and alcohol, but was released by the court. The case in question is in court. 

He also has a criminal record for drug-related offenses and assault. 

The case is under investigation by police.