Life imprisonment for drug trafficking despite brother's testimony

The High Court has sentenced a man to life imprisonment for drugs found in his possession.

A man from Gaafu Dhaalu atoll, Thinadhoo, was arrested in 2014 carrying a box containing 19 grams of drugs. He was spared prosecution after his brother testified in court that the drug belonged to him. However, the accused exercised his right to remain silent during the investigation.

When the prosecution appealed the case, the High Court ruled last Wednesday that while the drugs were found in a box in the accused's possession, there was no other evidence to corroborate his brother's testimony in court that the items belonged to him.

The judgment also said that the brother was serving a prison sentence for another drug case at the time, and there is a possibility that he testified in order to save the accused.

The verdict included careful consideration of testimonies in court, including taking responsibility for the drugs found in someone else's possession. The judgment also said that the accused cannot be found not guilty based solely on the testimony of another person.

The judgment said the drug found in the box belonged to the accused, as he had tried to escape when he was arrested and exercised his right to remain silent during the investigation.

The three judges of the High Court unanimously sentenced the man to life imprisonment and a fine of MVR 100,000 for drug trafficking.

The High Court heard the case in the presence of Justice Hussain Shaheed, Justice Hussain Mazeed and Justice Mohamed Saleem. The bench was presided over by Justice Shaheed.