Five arrested in counter-drug op in Hinnavaru and Naifaru

The police made five arrests and seized over 86 grams of drugs and over MVR 200,000 in cash in a counter-drug operation carried out on Wednesday, in two islands of Lh. Atoll; Hinnavaru and Naifaru.

The operation was carried out by Drug Enforcement in collaboration with Counter-Narcotics Intelligence and the North Police.

In a statement on Thursday, the police said they made five arrests in the operation. They are:

• Mohamed Irushad, 35, Fehige, Lh. Hinnavaru
• Fathimath Reema, 44, Kulhibalaage, ADh. Mahibadhoo
• Abdulla Zakariyya, 46, Daisy Hiyaa, Lh. Naifaru
• Ahmed Mohamed, 36, Midhilimaage, Lh. Hinnavaru
• Hussain Easa Fulhu, 48, Ageedhuge, Lh. Hinnavaru

When presented before the court for their remand hearing, Zakariyya was remanded in custody of the police for 15 days, Reema for 12 days, Easa and Ahmed for seven days, and Irushad for three days.

In Wednesday’s operation, the police raided 12 properties in Hinnavaru and Naifaru. They seized 86.26 grams of drugs, MVR 293,000 in cash as well as an unspecified amount of US dollars and Euros.

The police also searched additional individuals, other than the five people who were arrested.

The case is under further investigation by the police.

The operation comes after the Home Ministry recently drafted legislature to introduce the death penalty for trafficking more than 500 grams of drugs into the Maldives.