The court has yesterday sentenced Abdul Basith, 28, of Gasdhoshuge, Dhoodigan, Fuvahmulah to 75 years in prison for drug trafficking and money laundering convictions.
Basith was arrested through a special police operation carried out in 2024 targeting a network involved in drug smuggling, trafficking, and laundering proceeds.
A large quantity of drugs were found during the search of his residence after his arrest. The case was sent for prosecution on June 11, 2024.
Authorities noted transactions exceeding MVR 3 million and USD 19,000 in Basith's bank accounts, involving funds generated through drug trafficking, according to the investigation.
Basith was convicted of both charges raised against him: drug trafficking and money laundering, with the court handing him a 75 year prison sentence.
Police have revealed that over various days, Police have detained 174 individuals involved in two networks engaged in large scale drug trafficking in Fuvahmulah. 188 cases were investigated against these individuals and 78 cases have been sent for prosecution.
Investigators also found that those heading these two networks had carried out major financial transactions.
Police said that Basith's conviction is an important step forward in reaching Police's Strategic Policing Requirement objectives against drug trafficking.
