Two Women Arrested With 1.8 Kilograms of Drugs in Maldives

Two young women have been arrested after being found in possession of a large quantity of drugs in the Maldives.

Alya Sharsa Naseer, 25, of G. Mutheege-aage in Malé, and Aminath Roona, 29, of Bijilee-ufaa in Thulusdhoo, were taken into custody by authorities with what has been described as a significant amount of drugs. Both suspects have been remanded in custody for 15 days.

According to the arrest warrant report, the drugs found in their possession weighed approximately 1.8 kilograms. The two women are accused of smuggling, using, possessing and trafficking narcotics.

The import and export of drugs is considered a serious offence under the Narcotics Act, which outlines drug-related crimes and penalties in the Maldives. Under Section 104 of the Act, importing or exporting drugs is punishable by life imprisonment and a fine ranging from MVR 100,000 to MVR 10 million.

Possession of drugs exceeding the legally prescribed threshold is classified as trafficking under Article 105, which also carries a penalty of life imprisonment along with a substantial fine. For instance, possession of more than four grams of diamorphine is considered trafficking.

Authorities further state that possession of drugs below the trafficking threshold remains an offence under Section 108, with penalties determined by the type and quantity of the substance. In addition, Article 106 criminalises the buying, selling and distribution of narcotics, with such offences categorised as criminal felonies under Maldivian law.