130kg drug bust: Shaheeb, Ahmed Moosa back to detention

The High Court on Sunday overruled the Criminal Court’s decision to release two main individuals charged in connection to the 130kg drug bust, for medical purposes.

On October 12, 2020, Maldives Police Service seized 130 kg of drugs from a fishing vessel involved in yellowfin tuna fishing, in Hulhumale harbour.

The Criminal court has ordered the release of Shakeeb Ibrahim (Light House, Ga.Villingili), a council member of the People’s National Congress (PNC) and Ahmed Moosa (Violet Villa, Ha. Hoarafushi) – who the Police allege are the ringleaders of this network.

The decision was made during a hearing held to review their remand, after both raised issues related to medical treatment. Presiding Judge Ahmed Shakeel granted release, citing the reason as the state’s failure to provide proper healthcare for them. He added that the state was previously given multiple opportunities to make arrangements for their medical treatment.

Both were released after setting conditions, for a period of two months. Some of the conditions set by the court include, cooperating with the court, cannot leave Male’ City or fly abroad without permission and not going out during the nighttime.

Following this, the state appealed Criminal Court’s decision.

In Sunday’s hearing, all three judges on the bench mutually agreed to reverse the lower court’s decision.

In addition to Ahmed Moosa and Shaheeb, in connection to this case charges are pressed against Aseel Maahir (Dhunfinige / Ga. Villingili), Anas Hussain (Cell / Lh. Hinnavaru, and two Bangladeshi nationals Mohamed Riyad and Iqbal.