2 drug network leaders in Fuvahmulah charged
The prosecution alleges that the accused established a network in Fuvahmulah for drug distribution.
The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) has filed formal charges against two individuals accused of operating a large-scale drug trafficking network in Fuvahmulah.
The accused, Hassan Azim of Zamaneege, Fuvahmulah, and Ahmed Niushad of Karankavilla, Fuvahmulah, were arrested in December 2024 during a police operation targeting drug-related crimes.
While the High Court ordered their release in January 2025, they now face charges in the Criminal Court.
The PGO has brought three key charges against Azim and Niushad:
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Participation in a Criminal Organisation
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Money Laundering
The prosecution alleges that the accused established a network in Fuvahmulah for drug distribution. The network’s operations were exposed on April 27, 2024, when a significant quantity of drugs was discovered in a house on the island.
According to the lawsuit:
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Police investigations of bank statements revealed that small deposits from multiple individuals were accumulated and deposited into the accounts of Azim and Niushad.
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The accused had created an organized system for packaging, marketing, and selling drugs at different levels.
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Payments were made to various dealers who sold drugs in a structured manner.
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A record was maintained for drugs issued on credit, and the network remained active until August 2024.
The second charge involves allegations that Azim and Niushad received and used large sums of money linked to drug transactions. These financial activities reportedly took place from July 1, 2019, to August 2024.
As of August 2024:
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MVR 5.9 million had been deposited into Azim’s account by various drug dealers.
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MVR 21.8 million had been deposited into Niushad’s account through similar transactions.
The PGO has requested the forfeiture of assets suspected to have been acquired through drug-related proceeds. The state seeks to recover MVR 1.1 million, along with several valuable assets, including:
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4 motorcycles
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5 cars
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2 pickups
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1 vessels
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29 Sun Conure parrots
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9 Ringneck parrots
The prosecution argues that these assets were obtained using illicit funds and should be confiscated by the state.
