Shaheeb Sentenced to Life for Drug Trafficking

Former People’s National Congress (PNC) councilman Shaheeb Ibrahim has been found guilty of drug trafficking and sentenced to life imprisonment. 

The 47-year-old, from Lighthouse, G. A. Vilingili, was identified by police as one of the ringleaders of a large-scale drug trafficking network.

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Shaheeb was arrested in connection with a 130-kilogram drug seizure in October 2020, when police recovered a shipment from a fishing boat in the lagoon of suburban Hulhumalé. Seven individuals, including one minor at the time, were arrested in connection with the operation.

Police named Shaheeb and Ahmed Moosa, from Violet Villa, H. A. Hoarafushi, as the network’s ringleaders. Both were initially remanded in custody but were released by the Criminal Court in 2022 due to health concerns.

The Criminal Court found all defendants guilty of drug trafficking on Saturday afternoon. The conviction followed police efforts to locate Shaheeb, including two public announcements in September seeking his whereabouts to enforce a court order requiring him to appear in court. Shaheeb surrendered to police on Thursday, shortly after his wife was arrested on suspicion of harbouring a fugitive. She was released the same day but remains under investigation.

Shaheeb previously served as a coordinator at the Housing Ministry during former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s administration, when current President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu was Housing Minister. He also contested the 2019 parliamentary elections as an independent candidate. Following his arrest, Shaheeb was suspended and subsequently dismissed from the PNC council.