Police arrest seven over 130 kg drug bust

Maldives Police Service, on Wednesday, revealed that a total of seven individuals were arrested for attempting to smuggle 130 kilograms of drugs aboard a fishing vessel.

According to the police, the smuggle attempt was masterminded by Shaheeb Ibrahim, 42, and Ahmed Moosa, 48. The former of these two individuals was also arrested in connection with the drug-trafficking Iranian vessel which was intercepted in Maldivian territory during November 2019.

Shaheeb and four other apprehended individuals were remanded for 15-days by the Criminal Court, while Moosa received a 5-day remand period. It was disclosed that the remaining individual was a minor and that the Juvenile Court remanded the child for 10 days.

Excluding the minor, the ages of the arrested individuals range between 25 and 48.

According to local media outlet Mihaaru, one of the individuals confirmed to have planned the smuggle attempt is a council member in the opposition aligned political party, the People's National Congress (PNC). Reportedly, the individual is also involved in political activities of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and had contested for a seat during the last parliamentary election.

The police disclosed that the vessel, intended for usage in Yellowfin Tuna fisheries, was intercepted at sea during an operation initiated on the basis of internally collected intelligence. Following interception, the boat was taken to the lagoon of reclaimed suburb Hulhumale' and searched.

Three apartments in Hulhumale' and two residences in Male' were also searched as part of the operation.