Maldivian man sentenced to 20 years in Vietnam for smuggling over 1.5kg of drugs from Thailand

A Maldivian man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for smuggling more than 1.5 kilograms of drugs from Thailand into Vietnam.

The 39-year-old was sentenced by the People’s Court of Khánh Hòa Province late last month. The court also ordered his deportation from Vietnam after serving his prison term.

According to the chargesheet, Anil was arrested on December 8 after travelling from Bangkok, Thailand to Cam Ranh International Airport in Vietnam. Customs officers screened his luggage and hand-carried bag and found several packets of suspected drugs. The total weight of the drugs recovered was 1,545.6893 grams, including 1,067.2293 grams of mephedrone and 478.46 grams of alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (alpha-PiHP). Anil tested negative for drug use.

Investigations revealed that Anil was handed the items on November 7 last year while staying at a hotel in Bangkok. He was entrusted with the delivery by an acquaintance known as “Afu,” who lives in Pattaya, Thailand. Afu’s identity and current whereabouts remain unknown.

Afu told Anil that someone in Vietnam would contact him to receive the package. He promised Anil USD 1,000 for transporting six packets of drugs and gave him USD 500 in advance for food and travel expenses. Investigators found that Afu himself placed the drugs inside Anil’s suitcase.

Anil was arrested during immigration processing upon arrival in Vietnam.