130kg drug bust: State to appeal Criminal Court’s release of 2 suspected ringleaders

State has decided to appeal Criminal Court’s release of two suspects arrested in connection to the drug bust from a yellowfin tuna fishing vessel docked at Hulhumale’ which saw the seizure of over 130 kilos of drugs.  

Prosecutor General’s Office’s (PGO) Media Officer, Public Prosecutor Ahmed Shafeeu told Sun that the case will be appealed to High Court within the next two days.

Criminal Court released two individuals arrested in connection to the case, whom the police suspect to be ringleaders, on Wednesday. They are Shaheeb Ibrahim (Light House, GA. Villingili), a former council member of People’s National Congress (PNC) – and Ahmed Moosa (Violet Villa, HA. Hoarafushi).

Both individuals were granted conditional release for a two-month period for the purpose of seeking medical treatment for their health issues.

At a hearing held yesterday, lawyers of Shaheeb and Ahmed Moosa had requested arrangements for their clients to seek medical treatment for their health issues.

Presiding judge in the case, Judge Ahmed Shakeel, decided to grant release over the State’s failure to facilitate proper healthcare for them. He cited that the State had previously been granted multiple opportunities to make arrangements for their medical treatment.

The arrests in connection to the drug bust were made on October 2020. A total of seven people were arrested including a minor.