Police uncover large drug network

Police have uncovered a huge drug network responsible for the import and trade of drugs in Maldives and arrested three people.

At a press conference held at Iskandar koshi today, Head of Drug Department Chief Inspector of Police Ahmed Azhan said that the arrested people had about 1kg drugs in their possession.

The special operation was conducted last Wednesday with the cooperation of armed forces. The first to be arrested was Adnan Moosa, 55, of Alimasvila, Ha. Dhiddhoo. He was a deck supervisor on cargo vessel MV Raniya. He was stopped while on the street, and checks revealed that he had a bag containing a substance suspected to be cannabis. Moreover, 12 cans containing substances suspected to be drugs were discovered onboard the vessel. He also had several rubber bags used to pack drugs in.

Police arrested two of Adnan’s alliances as well; namely Ahmed Rasheed, 43, of H. Always happy house; and Hassan Sobir, 26, of Sithura, Sh. Komandoo.

Police said that Ahmed Rasheed threw away a can containing cannabis when police tried to arrest him. Checks made on his office revealed eight cans of cannabis and a large packet of heroin.

Rubber materials used to pack drugs in were also discovered with Sobir.

The cargo vessel Raniya had departed en route Maldives from Tuticorin in India on 1 May.