Hiyaa flat hostage situation: Flat owner participated, positive for drugs

Among the perpetrators who held a man hostage inside a Hiyaa Flat in Hulhumalé Phase 2 last Thursday night includes the owner of the flat, who upon testing, was positive for drugs, revealed Maldives Police Service.

In a press conference held at Iskandhar Koshi, the police revealed that the apartment in question had previously been searched in connection with drugs. They also stated that they believe the hostage situation there was related to drugs.

So far, 12 individuals including the apartment's owner have been arrested in connection to the case.

At the press conference, Hulhumalé Crime Department head Superintendent of Police Ahmed Saamy said they received the report of a hostage situation at around 19:50 hrs on Thursday.

Police immediately began locating the tower and the apartment, Saamy said, adding that the kidnappers were traced through CCTV footage. He further confirmed that the victim was held in apartment 20-11 of tower H9.

When Police broke into the apartment, the victim's hair was shaved off and the kidnappers were attempting to cut off his finger, police also said.

Saamy said victim is severely affected mentally from the trauma. Since then he has been relocated to a safe space, and has been provided with counselling as well, he said.

Further details of the case were provided by Inspector Ali Ismail of the Serious and High Impact Crime Unit. He stated that there were 12 people inside the apartment. Suspecting they were under the influence of a substance, the police attempted to conduct urine tests, but only one person gave consent, he said.

The individual was the apartment's owner Adam Hussain from Laamu atoll Maavah. He tested positive for drugs, Police confirmed.

Ali Ismail further said that evidence collected from the scene include scissors, trimmers, a four inch Kiwi brand knife and a box cutter.

During a court ordered search of the premises, approximately 28 rubber packets containing drugs were recovered. Additional drugs were found in empty film cans, and authorities also discovered 11 bottles of alcohol in the apartment.

Other discoveries include MVR 16,700 and the victim's mobile phone.