Taxi drug bust: Kingpin of operation is Arshad; previously released as drug charges weren't proven

Maldives Police Service has stated that kingpin of the taxi drug operation which was busted in a counter-narcotics operation carried out earlier this month is Arshad Khalid, 26, Allora, GDh. Hoadedhdhoo – who was released previously as the drug charges raised against him back then were not proven in court.

During the search of a taxi in Male’ City on December 12 – Police seized over 100 kilograms of drugs. They later on recovered additional packets of drugs linked with those found from the taxi after searches of three houses in Male’, one house in Hulhumale’, a private car and three cycles – increasing the total amount of drugs seized to 119 kilograms.

Other suspects Police have identified in the case in addition to Arshad includes his brother, Ahmed Mujahidh, 29, Allora, GDh. Hoadedhdhoo; Ali Zubair, 52, Guleynooramaage, GDh. Hoadedhdhoo; Mohamed Akram Abdul Hannan, 31, Dhoadhi, GDh. Hoadedhdhoo, Ahmed Sunain, 25, Irumatheege, GDh. Hoadedhdhoo.

Police said that Arshad and Akram left the country after smuggling the drugs into Maldives.

They further detailed that the kingpin in trafficking the drugs to the Maldives, whose instructions the remaining acted on, is Arshad.

Arshad was previously arrested  under suspicions of being part of a local drug trafficking ring, and believed by the Police to be the ringleader.

He was released by the Criminal Court, citing charges against him were not proven, after the Supreme Court had ordered his detainment pending outcome of the trial after declaring drug trafficking to be a threat to the national security.

Zubair and Sunain who is implicated in the taxi drug bust was also charged in connection to the case. They were both released as charges were not proven as well.

Following Arshad’s release – it is alleged that he operates a drug network whilst residing in Dubai.