Over MVR 16 million of fines in drug cases remain unpaid to State

Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) has said that the State remains to receive over MVR 16 million in drug trafficking related fines ordered by the courts.

In response to a Right to Information (RTI) request submitted by Mihaaru News, MIRA said that as of November last year, over MVR 16.5 million in drug related fines remain unpaid.

However, the total amount of fines in such cases is not known. MIRA said that the records of fines levied in criminal cases are maintained together, and not specific to offences.

However, MIRA did say that as of November last year, there are 184 cases of drug trafficking in which the fees have not yet been paid. These are from sentences issued by the courts between October 2017 and November last year.

MIRA said that reminders are sent to persons owing fines in such cases. If these notices are not abided by, or an appeal at a higher court is not being proceeded, then they are sent to the Attorney General's Office to pursue civil cases to obtain the money.

In other criminal cases, the State has received MVR 2.8 million in fines last year.