Two Fuvahmulah Men Re-Arrested Over Risk of Witness Interference in Drug Case, Remanded Until Trial Ends
Azim and Niushad were first arrested in December 2024 during a police operation targeting drug-related crimes on the island, but was release in January, 2025.
Police have re-arrested two men from Fuvahmulah over concerns they may attempt to influence witnesses in an ongoing drug-related case before the courts.
In an update issued late last night, police said Hassan Azim, of Dhoondigan, Zamaaneegé, and Ahmed Niushad, of Dhoondigan, Karankaavila—both from Fuvahmulah—were re-arrested under a court order yesterday. The pair had been released just last week.
Authorities said the latest arrests were made on the grounds that the suspects could exert undue influence over witnesses connected to the case currently before the courts. The police said that the Criminal Court has ordered their remand until the conclusion of their trials.
Azim and Niushad were first arrested in December 2024 during a police operation targeting drug-related crimes on the island. Although the High Court of the Maldives ordered their release in January 2025, the case proceeded at the Criminal Court of the Maldives.
The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) subsequently filed charges against the two, including participation in a criminal organisation, money laundering, and establishing a drug distribution network.
In addition to drug-related charges, both men were accused of receiving and using large sums of money believed to be proceeds of drug transactions between July 2019 and August 2024. Police investigations indicate that MVR 5.9 million was deposited into Azim’s account, while MVR 21.8 million was deposited into Niushad’s account.
According to prosecutors, Azim and Niushad were responsible for setting up a structured system to distribute drugs across Fuvahmulah. The operation came to light on April 27, 2024, when police discovered a significant quantity of drugs at a residence on the island.
Investigators later found evidence of financial activity linked to the alleged network, including multiple small deposits from different individuals being consolidated into the suspects’ bank accounts—an indication of organised trafficking operations.
The prosecution alleges the network operated with coordinated systems for packaging, marketing and selling drugs, and remained active until August 2024. Dealers were reportedly paid through an organised structure, and records were maintained, including for drugs distributed on credit.
