Emergency motion submitted to Parliament over release of drug traffickers

An emergency motion has been submitted to the Parliament to bring to the attention of the government that large-scale drug traffickers are being released back into society.

The emergency motion was submitted to the Parliament at today’s session by Maduvvari MP Adam Shareef Umar. 

Speaking regarding the motion – MP Shareef noted that individuals being arrested in counter-narcotics operations with large amounts of drugs in possession – are being released from custody during the investigation stage and court stage.

“Because such persons being released from custody during the investigation stage and court proceedings – and being let back into the society, because of the failure to take action against them and the failure to stop individuals who had been arrested with large amounts of drugs in possession from leaving the country,” he had said.

MP Shareef also said that the number of drugs being trafficked into the Maldives via major foreign drug networks has significantly increased – subsequent to which the Maldives has become a drug hub. He also alleged that no action is being taken against drug traffickers, while decisions by courts to release such individuals from custody are not appealed.

He also stressed that the number of people abusing drugs has significantly increased – adding that the increased presence of intoxicated persons on the streets has reached to an extent that members of the public fear being out on the streets.

“This emergency motion is being submitted as drugs are being trafficked into the Maldives and being sold to the extent it seems to be a state-sponsored business, and because drug traffickers are being released from custody openly – to bring this to the attention of the government,” the emergency motion read.

MP Shareef’s emergency motion was approved for debate by 23 members from the 27 members present at today’s session. Four members voted against debating for the emergency motion.

The emergency motion has been submitted at a time two individuals arrested during a counter-narcotics operation which saw the seizure of approximately 100 kilograms of heroin being released from custody under a court order. Police suspect the two individuals released to play a lead role in trafficking drugs into the Maldives. Hence, they have requested the Prosecutor General’s Office to appeal the court’s decision.