Maldivian woman remains jailed in India, family hopeful

The family of the Maldivian woman arrested in India in a drug trafficking case states that she remains in police custody, despite their efforts to free her.

Aminath Rasheeda, 58, B. Eydhafushi, was arrested upon arrival from Maldives to Cochin on February 12.

India’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) believe Rasheeda to be involved in an attempt to transport drugs from Mumbai to Maldives.

Rasheeda, who is involved in import of plants and textiles to Maldives, had travelled to India alone on a business trip.

Indian newspapers report NCB had been tracking her movements since December last year.

She remains in police custody.

A family member told Sun on Sunday morning that they were working with the help of lawyers to free Rasheeda from jail.

“We haven’t had any success yet. The procedure is long,” he said.

Insisting that Rasheeda had no involvement in drug trafficking, the family member said they were sure she would be set free.

The family said that Rasheeda was in good health.

WHO IS RASHEEDA?

A mother of four and grandmother of six, Rasheeda imports products from Asia and the Middle East, and sells them online.

She has been involved in the business for years.

She mainly imports plants, textiles and clothes, and frequently travels to countries such as India, Lanka, United Arab Emirates and Thailand to purchase the products.

Her family believes she was framed by a Maldivian who resides in India and her Indian cargo agent.

“She was tricked by a Maldivian living in India’s Bangalore. The other person involved in this is an Indian named Arif. He is the cargo agent who sends cargo to Rasheeda from Trivendrum. This is a trick planned by these two people. I can guarantee you this,” said the family member.

Indian newspapers report that NCB officials intercepted a parcel of a courier company on the day of her arrest, which contained 3.9 kilos of drugs concealed in an electric appliance. NCB states that the parcel, which was headed to Maldives, was addressed to Rasheeda.

Rasheeda’s family said that the Maldivian and the Indian cargo initiate they suspect of involvement were privy to her personal details, including her name and address, and could have easily made a parcel under her name.

The family member also noted that no drugs were found from Rasheeda herself.

“If the address is known, anyone can make a parcel under the name, right? We don’t know anything about this parcel. But, no drugs have been found on Rasheeda,” said the family member.

Her family said that Rasheeda had no criminal record, in Maldives or any other country.