Indian fined MVR 100k for smuggling gold into Maldives
As the case neared a verdict, Harif had signed a plea bargain with the state and admitted to the offense.
By
Fathmath Ahmed Shareef
An Indian man was fined over MVR 100,000 for trying to smuggle gold into the country by hiding in his body and he was directed to pay the amount within four days. The court also directed the customs to seize the gold recovered from him.
Harif Meladeth Aboobaker was arrested on June 11, 2022, when customs officials at the airport suspected him of his strange conduct and found gold hidden in his body.
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During the search of his body, packets containing gold were discovered wrapped around both of his legs using masking tape
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When they were tested, they contained about 2.7 kg
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Other substances were also amidst the paste, according to the investigation report
The state charged him:
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With secretly smuggling goods into the Maldives
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Requested the court to take away the gold he had secretly smuggled into the country
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The basic punishment for the charge is imprisonment for a term which may extend from six months to two years
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Or a fine of MVR 10,000, which may extend to MVR 240,000
While initially denying the charges, he said that he did not know that the import of unauthorised gold was prohibited and that it was not brought in secret.
The prosecution said that when he tried to smuggle it with tape on his leg, it was obvious that it was a secret attempt to smuggle it into the country. It proved that he was aware that it is prohibited from being imported into the country in that way, the state said.
As the case neared a verdict, Harif had signed a plea bargain with the state and admitted to the offence. He also asked that the punishment for the offence be reduced to a fine.
As per the plea bargain, the court held:
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Harif is found guilty beyond reasonable doubt and he has confessed to the crime
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Impose a fine of MVR 120,000
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The amount to be paid to an agency ordered by the trial court within four days, excluding public holidays
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Confiscate the gold smuggled secretly from customs
It is a crime to secretly import something that is not permitted to be imported and exported to the Maldives. It is also a crime to secretly deport goods from the Maldives, or to engage in any of these activities to avoid the payment of duty.
Any attempt to commit such an offence can be punished and the property involved in the act can be withdrawn by the customs without compensation. If a profit has been made from secretly imported goods, the state can also withdraw the profit.
