Drug network suspect sentenced to 18 years

An individual convicted of being involved in a drug trafficking network has been handed an 18 year prison sentence, along with a fine of MVR 200,000 by the Criminal Court. 

The sentence was passed against Mohamed Aflah Abdulla, Suvaasaage, Lh. Hinnavaru, who was found guilty of involvement in trafficking diamorphine. 

This was in the same case where Criminal Court passed a life sentence last year on Hassan Looth, Rangal, GDh. Thinadhoo, Hassan Rasheed, Flat no. 45-G-01, and Ismail Shareef, White Rose, Th. Thimarafushi for possession and trafficking of drugs.

Following intelligence reports that drugs and related proceeds were being stored and distributed from homes and guesthouses in Male', Police launched an operation on January 12, 2021, which resulted in the arrest of these individuals. 

Police searched a guesthouse room occupied by Ismail Shareef, during which Aflah arrived and handed him MVR 7,800. Aflah was subsequently arrested on suspicion that the money was linked to the case. 

The search of the room also uncovered rubber packets and pieces of foil containing diamorphine. Search of another premise linked to the case brought up evidence that Ismail Shareef, Hassan Looth and Hassan Rasheed had trafficked drugs there. The verdict then said that other communications on phones found at the scene and bank transactions of persons involved proved Aflah's involvement. 

Aflah denied the charges and said that the money handed over to Ismail Shareef had been rent money for an apartment that he had delivered on behalf of another person. He claimed that he had no links to the others involved in the case, but submitted no evidence to support this, the verdict reads. 

The verdict said that although Aflah claims he has no connection to the others, call detail charts indicate he has communicated with them. Additionally, on the day of the Police operation, Aflah had deposited MVR 15,000 to the account of another individual linked to the case. 

The court's verdict stated that the evidence submitted proved that those involved had run an organized network through which drugs were trafficked. The case involves large amounts of drugs and money, and the verdict states that the charges have been proved against some of the others involved. 

Aflah was sentenced to an 18 year prison term, along with a fine of MVR 200,000 to be paid within 12 months. 

The court has previously sentenced Hassan Looth, Hassan Rasheed, Ismail Shareef and Shaniya Ibrahim, Ma. Haslath, to life in prison. The court also ruled that the proceeds of crime will be seized by the State. 

Police recovered MVR 1.4 million through this operation.