3 arrested with drugs; court releases alleged leader
In a major drug operation, police arrested three individuals with a large quantity of drugs and over MVR 2 lakh in cash.
Police arrested three individuals with a large quantity of drugs and over MVR 200,000 in cash. However, the Criminal Court later released the alleged leader of the network due to a lack of direct evidence linking him to drug possession.
The arrests took place on Sunday during a joint operation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Department and Counter Narcotics Intelligence. The individuals taken into custody are:
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Ibrahim Imadh (30), Kenereege, Th. Gaadhiffushi
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Mohamed Simrah (43), Ma. Windstar, Malé
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Salah Shihab (45), Zamaneeage, Gdh. Rathafandhoo
During the operation, authorities seized:
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57.78 grams of suspected drugs
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MVR 241,000 in cash, believed to be proceeds from drug trafficking
Following the arrests, the Criminal Court ordered a 15-day remand for Ibrahim Imadh, who was suspected of leading the operation. However, Imadh was later released, and his case has sparked concerns about the legal system’s handling of drug-related offenses.
According to information received by Atoll Times, the court's decision was based on the following factors:
Police Intelligence Report:
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Authorities submitted an intelligence report linking Imadh to a drug trafficking network.
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The report stated that he operated from multiple houses in Villimalé, where drugs were allegedly stored and distributed.
Search and Evidence:
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Police conducted a search at the house in Villimalé where Imadh lived but found only money, not drugs.
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However, drugs were discovered in two other houses in Villimalé, which police claim were used by Imadh for trafficking.
Arrest Circumstances:
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Imadh was arrested on the street after intelligence suggested he might attempt to destroy evidence.
Despite these findings, the Criminal Court ruled that Imadh could not be detained because no drugs were directly found in his possession or at his primary residence.
