Two men named in chocolate syrup drug smuggling case

Police have released the names and photographs of two men suspected of smuggling drugs into the Maldives by sea concealed in bottles labelled as chocolate syrup.

The suspects were identified as Mohamed Aadil, 57, of Golden House, Gaafu Dhaalu Thinadhoo, and Ahmed Ali, 47, of Aafiyaa, Haa Alifu Hoarafushi.

Both men were produced before the Criminal Court and remanded in custody for five days.

Customs seized the hashish oil shipment on Thursday night. Ahmed Ali was arrested the following day, while Aadil was taken into custody on Saturday.

According to the arrest warrant, the drugs were imported under the name of Aadil’s company, Raas Maldives. Aadil is the managing director of the company, which was registered 16 years ago to import various goods into the Maldives. Records from the Ministry of Economic Development show that the company has two female shareholders.

The court order states that Ahmed Ali had informed customs’ sea cargo inspection unit that he would represent the company in clearing the shipment, following an email notification sent to customs by Raas Maldives.

Customs said the seized hashish oil weighed more than 40kg and had an estimated street value exceeding MVR 30 million. The substances were packed in 10 boxes.