Alleged drug kingpin Arshad released again over lack of evidence to remand

A man who the police believe to be a drug kingpin – Arshad Khalid, 26, Allora, GDh. Hoadedhdhoo – who was arrested on Tuesday has been released again, over lack of evidence to hold his remand.

Maldives Police Service, on Wednesday night, stated that Arshad who was arrested under a court order on Tuesday, has been released due to insufficient evidence to hold his remand.

Although Police announced Arshad’s arrested on Tuesday, they did not disclose any details regarding the case he was arrested over.

Arshad had been arrested in January 2020 in a counter-drug operation that saw police raid ten properties in Male’ City, and seize nine kilos of heroin and four grams of cocaine, along with MVR 4.6 million in drug money.

Eight people were charged in the case. However, only two of them were convicted, and the other six, including Arshad, were acquitted. As a result, he Arshad was freed from custody.

After his acquittal, Arshad was later implicated in a major counter-drug operation in December 2021 in which the police seized 119 kilos of heroin. In a statement after the raid, police identified Arshad as the leader of the drug trafficking ring.

However, he had fled Maldives, to Dubai, before the police made the bust.

He was arrested upon return to the Maldives from Sri Lanka on October 10, under a High Court order issued to present him before the court, under arrest, on the night of October 12.

Although he was arrested, he was released before being presented to High Court.

High Court said that Arshad had appeared before the court by himself for the case scheduled. Therewith, they said they are unable to make a decision regarding his arrest.

Prosecutor General’s Office (PG Office) has stated that no instructions have been given in the case to release Arshad. They noted that the High Court’s decision has been appealed to Supreme Court.