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PG Office to appeal release of drug trafficker

Mariyam Malsa
25 January 2021, MVT 18:31
'Irualimas' boat, the vessel used to smuggle 61 kilograms of drugs into the country during March 2020. PHOTO: MALDIVES POLICE SERVICE
Mariyam Malsa
25 January 2021, MVT 18:31

The Prosecutor General's Office, on Monday, revealed its decision to lodge an appeal against the release of Ahmed Visaam, the individual that masterminded an operation to smuggle 61 kilograms of heroin into Maldives in March 2020.

PG Office's spokesperson and public prosecutor Ahmed Shafeeu disclosed that the issue of Visaam's release would be lodged with the High Court.

The Criminal Court ordered Visaam's release on Sunday, stating that Maldives Correctional Services (MCS) had failed to arrange a psychiatrist appointment according to a referral or facilitate adequate medical treatment despite the suspect requiring a major knee surgery.

On March 26, 2020, a group of 11 men attempted to smuggle 61 kilograms of heroin into Maldives via sea aboard 'Irualimas' boat.

Seven individuals were on board at the time of arrest while the remaining four were apprehended from the capital city of Male' and reclaimed suburb Hulhumale'.

While a total of 11 individuals were charged with trafficking diamorphine, commonly known as heroin, all remaining suspects excluding Visaam are currently detained until the conclusion of their trials.

Intelligence collected by law enforcement authorities at the time confirmed that Visaam orchestrated the plot as the leader of the other suspects.

Maldives Police Service had disclosed that all eleven men have previous criminal records including drug charges.

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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