Shaheeb turns himself in when his wife was arrested

Shaheeb Ibrahim, accused of smuggling 130 kg of drugs into the Maldives, was arrested after his wife was taken into custody in connection with his absconding.

Shaheeb's wife, Aishath Waheedha of M. Karadhuburige, is wanted by police for aiding her husband in evading the law.

The court order stated that Shaheeb is the prime suspect in a drug smuggling case involving 130 kg of narcotics transported into the Maldives by sea on August 12, 2020.

An arrest warrant was issued for Aishath Waheedha on charges of obstruction of justice, concealment or destruction of evidence, and endangering public safety and security.

Following her arrest, Shaheeb voluntarily presented himself at the police station, where he was taken into custody, according to police.

Shaheeb had been on the run since Sunday, evading a court hearing related to his case. The 47-year-old was ordered to appear before the Criminal Court on Sunday, but police were unable to locate him at the time.

According to authorities, the drugs were smuggled into the country in 2020 via a fishing vessel operated by a group led by Shaheeb and Ahmed Moosa of Violet Villa, HA. Hoarafushi.

Police confirmed that Shaheeb had been prohibited from leaving the country. He was initially held in custody pending trial but was released in 2023.

Six individuals are being prosecuted in connection with the 130kg drug smuggling case. Alongside Shaheeb, the accused include; Ahmed Moosa, Aseel Mahir of Dhunfinige, GA. Vilingili, Anas Hussain of Sell, Lh. Hinnavaru, two Bangladeshi nationals, Iqbal and Mohamed Riyad.

In addition, Shaheeb is a suspect in a separate drug smuggling case from 2019 involving a boat disguised as a drifting vessel.

In November 2019, an Iranian ship suspected of drug trafficking was seized, and Shaheeb was arrested along with seven Iranian nationals. All were later released by court order.