PG office withdraws drug trafficking charges against woman after husband's confession
Under a plea agreement with the state, Imad was sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment and fined MVR 50,000.
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The Prosecutor General's (PG) Office has withdrawn drug trafficking charges against a woman accused of concealing narcotics in her underwear after her husband admitted sole responsibility for the drugs during court proceedings.
The case stems from an anti-narcotics operation conducted by police in Laamu Atoll on 18 November 2024, during which two people were arrested: Aishath Fahudha of Irudhoodhi, HA. Hoarafushi, and Ibrahim Imad of Gamuge, L. Maavah.
Police recovered 9.2 grams of diamorphine (heroin), which had been concealed inside a sanitary pad attached to Fahudha's underwear.
When the case was filed last year, both Fahudha and Imad were charged with trafficking diamorphine. Imad was also charged with cannabis use. If convicted, both faced the possibility of life imprisonment.
During proceedings at the Laamu Fonadhoo Magistrate Court, however, Imad admitted to the offences and testified that the drugs belonged to him. He told the court that he had handed the package to Fahudha to hide when they encountered police officers and that she was unaware it contained narcotics.
In a statement issued to the media on Monday, the PG Office said it had withdrawn the charge against Fahudha after reviewing the evidence.
The office said the decision was based on the absence of a prior criminal record and insufficient evidence to establish criminal intent (mens rea).
According to the PG Office:
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Imad stated in court that he asked Fahudha to hide the package without informing her of its contents.
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Fahudha consistently maintained that she did not know the package contained illegal drugs.
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Imad has previous criminal convictions, while Fahudha has no prior criminal record.
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The charge against Fahudha was withdrawn after Imad formally confessed and was sentenced.
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Although one defendant's confession does not automatically clear another accused person, prosecutors may exercise discretion based on the facts of each case.
Imad was convicted on both charges brought against him. Under a plea agreement with the state, he was sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment and fined MVR 50,000.
