Azhad Naseem, one of two individuals arrested in GA. Maamendhoo with over 17 kilograms of narcotics in a drug smuggling and trafficking case, has had his remand extended by 15 days.

Arrested in connection with the case were Azhad Naseem, GA. Maamendhoo, and Rishfan Ramiz, Roshaneege, of the same island. Police previously stated that the two individuals arrested during the operation conducted on the second of this month are suspected to be high-level figures in a drug smuggling network.

At that time, they were given a five-day remand.

The Criminal Court order extending Azhad's remand by 15 days stated that sufficient evidence had been presented to support the allegations against him.

According to the court order, an intelligence report and items suspected to be over 17 kilograms of drugs were recovered. It noted that photo reports from searches conducted at Nooraneemaage and Fiyathoshivila in GA. Maamendhoo were submitted, along with items typically used for packaging narcotics.

The order also stated that statements from police officers who attended the scene and investigative statements were presented.

The court order stated that he is believed to be engaged in large-scale drug trafficking and possesses a prior record of drug trafficking. It noted that the allegations previously raised against him also involved the trafficking of large quantities of drugs, and that his modus operandi in committing the offenses appears to be virtually identical.

His remand was extended by 15 days following a request by the police for that duration.

Azhad was previously arrested on February 21 of last year with over three kilograms of drugs. On that occasion, he was arrested alongside a 36-year-old Bangladeshi national named Hanif during a joint operation conducted by Drug Enforcement and Counter Narcotics Intelligence following information received by police intelligence regarding the possession and trafficking of narcotics. The drugs were discovered aboard a local vessel (dhoani).

It remains unclear how Azhad came to be free prior to his latest arrest.