Court orders full remand for Maldivian suspect in 21kg narcotics operation

The Criminal Court on Saturday ordered the remand of three men arrested with more than 21 kilograms of drugs in a major operation conducted by the police.

Abdulla Raif of Hiyaavahi, L. Kalaidhoo, was remanded in custody pending trial. The operation followed the seizure of more than seven kilograms of drugs from a flight that arrived in the Maldives on May 4. Police later searched two apartments in Male' and recovered an additional 13 kilograms of narcotics.

Raif and two Bangladeshi nationals, 43-year-old MD Joshim Uddin and 32-year-old Mamun Dali, have been arrested in connection with the case. They are all accused of importing, possessing, using and trafficking drugs.

According to the court order issued on Saturday, Raif will remain in custody until the conclusion of his trial. The court stated that police had submitted sufficient evidence to pursue charges.

The two Bangladeshi suspects, who have been remanded multiple times in previous cases, were ordered to remain in custody for 15 days, expiring next Friday.

Police are continuing investigations. Drug smuggling cases have been increasing in the Maldives, with a recent rise in the number of foreigners arrested in such operations.