Two arrested in 12 kilo drug bust released, will not face charges

 Two of three suspects arrested in a counter-narcotics operation conducted by the police in March have been released from police custody, after authorities decided against prosecuting them. 

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 three suspects are: 

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

• Smash KA Cristian Kuti, 37, India  

• Kavsar Alam, 30, Bangladesh 

Kuti, who the police the ringleader of the drug trafficking operation, was presented before the Criminal Court for a remand hearing on Wednesday. 

The court granted a 15-day extension to his remand. 

Meanwhile, the other two suspects were released from police custody, and were not presented before the court. 

Police believe 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.