Drug traffickers receive 50-years in prison with record fines

Maldives’ biggest drug smuggling case has concluded with two men sentenced to 50 years in prison and fined MVR 10 million each. The fine imposed by the Criminal Court is the highest ever under the Narcotics Act in the Maldives.

The two primary individuals involved in the smuggling of more than 127 kg of drugs via a fishing vessel were Shaheeb Ibrahim of GA. Villingili / Lighthouse, and Ahmed Moosa of HA. Hoarafushi / Violetvilla.

They were accompanied by four others who were also convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment: Ahmed Moosa, Aseel Mahir of Dhunfinige, GA. Villingili; Anas Hussain of Sell, Lh. Hinnavaru; and two Bangladeshi nationals, Iqbal and Mohamed Riyad.

All were charged with trafficking dimorphine and a substance listed under Annex 1, two felonies punishable by 25 years to life in prison. Each was sentenced to 50 years for the two offenses.

Anas Hussain and Aseel Mahir were also convicted of cannabis use and sentenced to an additional three years in prison. Anas was further convicted of possession of liquor bottles and sentenced to an extra two months and 12 days in jail.

Details of the total penalties:

A minor under the age of 18 was also charged in the case. However, the Juvenile Court ruled there was insufficient evidence to convict him.

Shaheeb, convicted in this major drug case, was listed as wanted by the police last week after failing to appear for his sentence hearing. He later turned himself in at the police station after his wife was arrested on charges of aiding his evasion.

The seven individuals, including Shaheeb, were arrested in October 2020 in connection with the trafficking case. They were initially ordered to remain in custody pending trial, but were released at various stages throughout the proceedings.