Indian suspects in 8 kg drug smuggling case remanded pending trial

Two Indian nationals arrested last month in connection with the smuggling of more than eight kilograms of drugs into the Maldives have been ordered to remain in custody pending trial.

Police arrested five suspects at Velana International Airport (VIA) in early June after more than 8.3 kilograms of drugs were discovered concealed in false bottoms of luggage brought from Bengaluru, India. The suspects are:

• Mohamed Mushtaq Jamal, 29, India  

• Sirajuddin Rashitha, 26, India  

• Ahmed Afrah, 33, Feyrugasdoshuge, Mukurimagu, L. Gan  

• Ilyas Ahmed, 42, H. Kahafathi, Male'  

• Hassan Shammoon, 36, G. Heli, Male'  

The three Maldivian suspects were remanded for 30 days by the Criminal Court on June 25, with their remand set to expire on July 25.

The two Indian nationals were produced before the Criminal Court on Wednesday after their previous remand expired. According to the court order, Customs officers x-rayed the luggage the pair brought from Bengaluru and detected irregularities at the bottom. A closer inspection revealed a false bottom containing substances suspected to be drugs.

The court order states that laboratory analysis confirmed the substances tested positive for Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabinol, with a total weight of 8.3 kilograms.

Both suspects told the court that the luggage had been arranged by a man known as “Bhai”, who allegedly promised them payment. The court order does not provide further details about this individual.

The Criminal Court ruled that the two men must remain in custody pending trial, stating that releasing them would pose a threat to public safety.

The case falls under the amended Narcotics Act, which came into force in March. The amendment introduces the death penalty for importing certain quantities of specified drugs. Under the law, the death sentence can only be imposed if all Supreme Court justices agree. If the judges do not reach consensus, the penalty becomes life imprisonment along with a fine between MVR 100,000 and MVR 10 million.