Missing suspect delays sentencing in Hulhumalé cannabis case

Sentencing in a drug trafficking case involving the seizure of 6.8 kilograms of cannabis from a warehouse in Hulhumalé has been delayed after one of the accused repeatedly failed to appear before the Criminal Court.

The case stems from a joint operation by Police Intelligence and the Drug Enforcement Department on 14 June 2020, during which officers seized the drugs and arrested two suspects.

The accused are Mohamed Shareef of Asraafeegoathi, GDh Vaadhoo, and Afzal Rasheed of Karankavilla, GA Kolamaafushi.

According to the Criminal Court, the case has been unable to proceed to sentencing because Shareef has not appeared in court. Since April, seven hearings scheduled for sentencing have been cancelled after he failed to attend.

The court said it had ordered police to arrest Shareef and produce him before the court. Following the order, police issued a public appeal in April seeking information on his whereabouts.

Police have not yet located him.

Both defendants were initially held in custody pending the conclusion of the trial. Shareef was released in November 2021 following a request by the state.

The request stated that he needed to travel overseas for shoulder surgery and that remaining in the custody of the Maldives Correctional Service had delayed arrangements for his treatment.

Afzal was released from custody in 2022 after an order by the Criminal Court. The state appealed the decision, but the High Court upheld the release.

The Criminal Court said the case cannot proceed to sentencing until Shareef is brought before the court.