Man sentenced to life, fined MVR 2 million for drug smuggling

A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment and fined MVR 2 million for attempting to smuggle drugs into Maldives through Velana International Airport.

Criminal Court ruled last Thursday that Ismail Naufal, of H. Semoa, was caught with 994 grams of methamphetamine on 18 December 2023 after returning from Malaysia, his 14th overseas trip that year.

Acting on a tip-off, customs officers searched his luggage and discovered the drugs. Naufal initially claimed the substance may have been in the box when he purchased it in Malaysia, but later gave contradictory statements to police and customs.

Judge Ali Nadeem said photographs of the drugs were found on Naufal’s phone, proving his intention to smuggle them. The judgment noted Naufal had admitted to making trips abroad to transport drugs in exchange for money. His travel records showed 14 short trips between April and December 2023, despite his declared income of only MVR 5,000 to 10,000 a month.

The court also heard testimony from Naufal’s wife, Maryam Saya Ibrahim Shihab, who accompanied him on the trip. Her statements were deemed inconsistent with earlier testimony to customs and suggested she may have been attempting to protect her husband.

Naufal was convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to life in prison with a MVR 2 million fine, to be paid within 12 months from 25 September. He was also given a separate three-year sentence for cannabis use.

Naufal will serve 23 years, two months and 23 days in prison.