119 kg drug case: PG still undecided over appeal

The Prosecutor General's Office on Wednesday said the Criminal Court was yet to decide on the appeals of two of the three accused in the 119-kg drug smuggling case.

In December 2021, police seized 119 kg of drugs in an operation conducted in different areas of the capital city. Two men travelling in a taxi with drugs were caught near Marrybrown. Three people were arrested and charged but only one was convicted.

The deadline for appeals on this case expires on July 2.

Speaking to Atoll Times, Public Prosecutor Ahmed Shafeeu said a decision would be taken before the deadline.

The three men arrested in the case were charged with trafficking in diamorphine (heroin).

The defendants are:

Police say the drug haul was masterminded by Arushad Khalid, Alora/G.Dh.Hoadhehdhoo, who was previously charged with drug trafficking. 

The Criminal Court convicted only Ali Zubair. As there was enough evidence to prove his guilt, he was fined MVR 100,000 and sentenced to 22 years in prison.

The judgement said there was no evidence to prove the guilt of Sunain and Mujahid, but police had submitted seven footages of the three men carrying drugs in different parts of the city Male.

At a press conference after the verdict, the Homeland Security Ministry said there would be enough evidence to prove Sunain and Mujahid guilty. Thus, it was expected that the case would be appealed to the High Court soon. However, nearly three months after the Criminal Court verdict, there still has been no decision made on it.