One of the two suspects who allegedly trafficked drugs using children has been released, with the other being remanded until the end of the trial.

The suspects have been identified as Mohamed Athoof Habeeb, 25, of Athens, and Mohamed Raif Hussain, 20, of Dhethandimaage.

Police said the arrests were made on 1st June during a joint operation by Villingili Police and Counter Narcotics Intelligence, targeting individuals involved in the sale of drugs through minors. The suspects were presented before the court, which ordered Athoof to be remanded in custody for 15 days and Raif for 10 days.

The police stated today that Athoof was presented before the court on Friday after his 15-day remand expired and was ordered to be remanded until the trial ends.

However, Raif has been conditionally released after he was presented before the court, as was said by the police.

During the operation, four houses on the island were searched, with a total of 66.92 grams of drugs recovered, including 53.91 grams of “brown sugar” and 13.01 grams of methamphetamine, police said.

Police said the operation was conducted under recent amendments to the Drugs Act and provisions of the Child Rights Protection Act, aimed at preventing the exploitation of children in drug-related offenses and diverting minors away from such activity.