Drug smuggling case: Looth says he went to collect suitcase at request of jailed friend

One of the Maldivians arrested in connection with an attempt to smuggle more than two kilograms of drugs into the Maldives has told the court that he went to the airport to collect a suitcase at the request of a friend currently in jail.

A Malaysian woman and two Maldivian men were arrested on February 28 for attempting to bring the drugs into the country by air. The suspects are:

• Ahmed Rishmah, 21, Sunlight Villa, GA. Dhaandhoo  

• Looth Ibrahim, 29, Furusathu, GDh. Vaadhoo  

• Ranjini Jeevananthan, 38, Malaysia

Ranjini was arrested at Velana International Airport, while Looth and Rishmah were arrested in Male’ City.

Looth was produced before court on Monday for a remand review, where his detention was extended by another 30 days. According to the arrest warrant, he told investigators that he went to the airport to receive the luggage on behalf of a jailed friend.

The Malaysian woman was earlier remanded for 15 days. Her arrest warrant states that she told authorities the suitcase she carried had been handed to her by a friend.