100kg drug bust: 10 arrested, only 5 remain in custody

Combined photos of (clockwise from top L) Mohamed Ahmed, 34; Ibrahim Zaid Habeeb, 25; Juman Musthafa, 19; Midhuhath Ibrahim, 26; Ibrahim Sinan, 24; Mohamed Hussain,61; MD Rafeegul Islam, 35; and DM Mobin, 24. (Photo/Maldives Police Service)

Criminal Court has now release of half of the suspects arrested by police in a counter-narcotics operation early October which saw the seizure of over 100 kilograms of heroin – including the two suspects police believe to be the ringleaders.

Police arrested 10 suspects on October 13, after a 24-hour counter-drug trafficking operation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Department (DED), Drug Intelligence, Marine Police, and Forensics Department.

When presented before the Criminal Court for their first remand hearing, the court released the two suspects police believe to be ringleaders of the drug trafficking operation.

The Prosecutor General’s Office decided against appealing their release with the High Court, stating that they don’t have the opportunity to submit new evidence in the appeal process, and do not believe appealing the decision based the evidence already submitted will produce a different outcome.

The police have not disclosed the identities of the two suspects in question.

The court remanded the remaining eight suspects in custody of the police. They are:

Juman Musthafa, 19, Beach Heaven, N. Velidhoo

Ibrahim Zaid Habeeb, 25, Sosunge, GA. Kolamaafushi

Mohamed Ahmed, 34, Janavareemaage, L. Kalaidhoo

Ibrahim Sinan, 24, Dear Friend, HDh. Kumundhoo

Mohamed Hussain, 61, Polaris, Dh. Bandidhoo

MD Rafeegul Islam, 35, Bangladesh

DM Mobin, 24, Bangladesh

Midhuhath Ibrahim 26, Dheyliyaage, GA. Dhevvadhoo

The first of the eight remaining suspects to be released was Midhuhath. He was granted unconditional release on October 26.

Midhuhath Ibrahim 26, Dheyliyaage, GA. Dhevvadhoo. (Photo/Maldives Police Service)

His release followed the release of Zaid and Sinan on October 28.

(From L-R) Ibrahim Sinan, 24; and Ibrahim Zaid Habeeb, 25. (Photo/Maldives Police Service)

Only five of the 10 suspects originally arrested in the case remain in custody; Mohamed Hussain, Mohamed Ahmed, Juman Mustafa, Rafeegul Islam, and Mobin.

Prosecutor General’s Office spokesperson, Public Prosecutor Ahmed Shafeeu told Sun the office has yet to make a decision regarding appealing the release of the Midhuhath, Zaid or Sinan.

Shafeeu said the police have not asked for the Prosecutor General’s Office to appeal their release either.

Police searched multiple uninhabited islands, locations in Male’ City and Hulhumale’, and a liveaboard vessel and a speedboat in the operation. The drugs were found hidden in Bodukaashihura, an uninhabited island located in ADh. Atoll.