The defendant charged with operating a drug-related business at a plot in Hulhumale' owned by Ensis Group has repeatedly failed to appear in court, causing delays in the proceedings.

The suspects that were arrested in June 2020 after being accused of conducting a large-scale drug trafficking operation in Maldives are GDh. Vaadhoo, Asrafeege, Mohamed Shareef and GA. Kolamaafushi, Karankaavilaage, Afsal Rasheed.

After the trial was held at Criminal Court, the sentence hearing was initially set for 12th April 2026. Since then, the hearing has been scheduled seven different times, Nevertheless, Mohamed Shareef has failed to produce himself to the court.

As he has not gone to court, a court order was issued for the police to remand him so that he may be brought to court. The police announced they were searching for him in April, with the police being unable to locate him ever since.

According to the Criminal Court, sentencing proceedings in the case have been delayed because the defendant, Shareef, who is charged with trafficking cannabis, has not been produced before the court.

Shareef was released from remand in 2021 upon the prosecution's request for him to travel overseas for medical attention. He has not been placed back under remand since then.

He was released due to too much time passing in making arrangements for him to travel overseas to undergo a shoulder operation while he was kept at the Correctional Service under remand.

Shareef has a history of drug-related offences and has been arrested and charged on multiple occasions in connection with drug trafficking.

Afsal has also been released from remand as it was determined there was negligence on the part of the prosecution regarding medical care for Afsal.

The police found 6.8 kilograms of cannabis from the location that was searched in the case.