Addu Drug Network Suspects Released Following PGO Advice

Ali Nadheem and others arrested in connection with an alleged drug trafficking network in Addu have been released after advice from the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO), police have confirmed.

The group was taken into custody in November last year on suspicion of involvement in drug trafficking activities in Addu dating back to 2017. Authorities had alleged that the network circulated millions of rufiyaa during that period.

Their remand period expired yesterday. Police confirmed to MV+ that the five suspects who remained in custody were released in accordance with legal procedures. One suspect had been released earlier.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Prosecutor General’s Office said the seven men were accused of participating in a criminal organisation and engaging in money laundering under the Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Act.

ޢަލީ ނަދީމްއާއި، އިތުރު ބަޔަކު ބައިވެރިގެން އައްޑޫ ސިޓީގައި ފުޅާދާއިރާއެއްގައި މަސްތުވާތަކެތި ވިޔަފާރިކޮށް، އެކަމުން ލިބޭ ފައިސާ ލޯންޑަރކުރާކަމަށް ތުހުމަތުކުރެވޭ މައްސަލަ

އިތުރަށް ވިދާޅުވުމަށް: https://t.co/kg8OLl2K3D pic.twitter.com/gm9OvUd9P0— Prosecutor General’s Office (@PGO_MV) March 2, 2026

However, the PGO said that the evidence gathered before the expiry of the legally prescribed investigation period was insufficient to substantiate charges related to participation in a criminal organisation or money laundering.

“The investigation into this case has been extended on several occasions up to the maximum period permitted by law. However, during that period, the investigation has not been adequately completed and evidence has not been obtained to the extent required for prosecution,” the statement read.

Citing Article 94(a) of the Criminal Procedure Code, the PGO noted that investigating authorities are required to release a person from custody if sufficient evidence to prosecute is not obtained within the legally stipulated timeframe.

The prosecution said it had declined to proceed with the case for the time being due to insufficient evidence but advised police that charges could be refiled under the Criminal Procedure Code should new evidence emerge.

According to information previously shared with the media, more than MVR 19 million was transferred over the past five years from the accounts of four alleged members of the network based in Hithadhoo.

At the time of his arrest, Nadheem was serving as a senior political director at the Ministry of Sports. He was dismissed from the post following his arrest.