Police have re-arrested two men suspected of leading a large-scale drug trafficking network in Fuvahmulah.
Ahmed Niushad, 35, of Dhoodigan, and Hassan Azim, 30, of Zamaaneevilla, Dhoondigan, were taken into custody last night. The pair had previously been arrested in December 2024 on suspicion of drug trafficking in the city.
According to a police media official, the latest arrests were made on suspicion of influencing evidence in an ongoing court case. No further details were provided.
The Prosecutor General's Office filed charges against the two men in March last year, including participation in a criminal organisation and money laundering.
Case timeline
- Niushad and Azim were first arrested in December 2024
- They were released by the High Court in January last year
- They were re-arrested days later under a new warrant
- They were remanded in custody pending trial
- They were released again by the court last week
- They were re-arrested last night
Earlier statements from the Prosecutor General’s Office said investigations found that Niushad and Azim had established a network to distribute drugs in Fuvahmulah, including paying salaries to dealers and coordinating sales.
Azim is accused of laundering more than MVR 5 million between July 2019 and August 2024 through funds received from accounts linked to drug-related individuals.
Niushad faces similar charges, with prosecutors alleging he deposited more than MVR 21 million into his accounts over the same period from sources connected to drug activity.
The state has also sought to recover assets allegedly linked to the operation, including MVR 1.1 million in cash, four motorcycles, five cars, two pickup trucks, a boat, 29 sun conure parrots and nine ringneck parrots.
The arrests are linked to wider anti-drug operations, including “Operation Veshi Rahkkal”, under which 58 people were arrested and 75 cases investigated. Of these, 65 cases have been forwarded for prosecution.
Authorities allege Niushad and Azim were at the centre of the network.
