Woman Sentenced to 18 Years for Obstructing Narcotics Delivery Operation

The Criminal Court has sentenced a woman to 18 years in prison and imposed a fine of MVR 75,000 for obstructing a police-controlled narcotics delivery operation.

The case involves the smuggling of two kilograms of drugs into the Maldives via FedEx. Prosecutors charged Azma Shareef of Kashikeyomaage, G.A. Kanduhulhudhoo, with involvement in the trafficking of drugs listed under Schedule 1.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

Authorities said Azma collected a box that appeared to contain women’s clothing but was found to conceal MDMA, a Schedule 1 substance. Police and customs officers were conducting a controlled delivery operation to identify the intended recipient of the package.

The shipment, seized by the Maldives Customs Service on 9 March 2022, was addressed to Fathimath Jameema. At trial, Azma denied the charges, claiming she had collected the package at a friend’s request. Police witnesses, however, testified that she did not cooperate with their efforts to deliver the box to the alleged recipient, leading to the termination of the operation and her subsequent arrest.

Delivering the verdict on Tuesday, Judge Ali Adam confirmed that the police evidence showed the package contained MDMA and found Azma guilty of obstructing the controlled delivery and participating in drug smuggling.