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Police reveal identities of alleged drug traffickers

Fathmath Shaahunaz
10 December 2020, MVT 18:52
L-R: Mohamed Visam, 28, from R.Inguraidhoo, and Irufan Thagiyyu, 32, from S.Hulhudhoo are accused of masterminding the trafficking of 72kg drugs into Maldives. PHOTO/POLICE
Fathmath Shaahunaz
10 December 2020, MVT 18:52

Maldives Police Service on Thursday disclosed the identities of the 10 suspects arrested over the recent drug bust in capital Male'.

According to the latest statement released by the police, the illegal narcotics seized during one of the biggest drug operations in the capital city weigh over 72kg.

The masterminds behind the drug trafficking are Irufan Thagiyyu, aged 32, from Seenu Atoll's Hulhudhoo, and Mohamed Visam, 28, from Inguraidhoo, Raa Atoll.

The other eight suspects are:

- Abdulla Visham, 26, from Inguraidhoo, Raa Atoll

- Ahmed Naseer, 38, from Maaenboodhoo, Dhaalu Atoll

- Ahmed Shinaan, 30, from Rasgetheemu, Raa Atoll

- Ali Ahmed, 37, from Male'

- Mohamed Akram, 27, from Male'

- Mohamed Furuqan, 33, from Gan, Laamu Atoll

- Mohamed Shareef, 34, from Nolhivaranfaru, Haa Dhaalu Atoll

- Mohamed Wajeeh, 35, from Thimarafushi, Thaa Atoll

Top row, L-R: Abdulla Visham, Mohamed Akram, Ali Ahmed and Ahmed Naseer. Bottom row, L-R: Ahmed Shinaan, Mohamed Wajeeh, Mohamed Furuqan and Mohamed Shareef. PHOTO/POLICE

The Criminal Court has since remanded two of the suspects for 15 days, four men for 10 days, three for a week, and one for five days.

The Drug Enforcement Department, Drug Intelligence and Marine Police had been carrying out the drug operation on both land and sea for more than a week, in order to seize the contraband and arrest the perpetrators.

Police revealed that the narcotics were smuggled into the country via a fishing boat named 'Masjaree', and transported via a speedboat to Male' on December 8. The drugs were then smuggled in the trunk of a car, which the police tailed and stopped that afternoon.

The arrested suspects were men who were on the fishing boat, the speedboat and inside the car, according to the police.

While a number of residences in Male' were also inspected in relation to the case, the police have now taken two cars, the speedboat and the fishing vessel under their custody.

Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed revealed earlier that the seized narcotics were estimated to have a street value of MVR 71 million.

Noting that often owners were unaware that their vehicles and vessels were being used by drug traffickers to transport smuggled narcotics, the police urged all owners to exercise caution.

Under Maldivian law, drug trafficking is a serious criminal offence punishable by life imprisonment and carries a hefty fine in the range of MVR 100,000 (USD 6,485) to MVR 1 million (USD 64,850).

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