Pakistani National Arrested Over MVR 29 Million Drug Smuggling Case
Arrest made in 36kg hashish oil seizure
A Pakistani national has been arrested in connection with a major drug-smuggling operation involving a shipment that arrived in the Maldives in February, as investigations continue into the seizure of more than 36 kilogrammes of hashish oil at Malé Commercial Harbour.
According to a remand order issued by the Criminal Court on Sunday, Pakistani national Zafar Ahmed was arrested under a court warrant in connection with the recovery of 36.4 kilogrammes of hashish oil from a shipment that arrived in the Maldives on 10 February. The seized drugs were estimated to have a street value exceeding MVR 29 million.
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The court order stated that Zafar, who resides in the Maldives, is believed by investigators to be the person responsible for the operation. He was presented before the Criminal Court and remanded in custody for 15 days pending further investigation.
Police have not yet disclosed details regarding the circumstances of his arrest.
The case stems from a Customs operation conducted in February, during which authorities intercepted and seized the drugs at Malé Commercial Harbour. The seizure remains one of the largest drug interceptions reported this year.
Two Maldivian men had previously been arrested in connection with the case. They were identified as 35-year-old Visham Mohamed of Malé and 26-year-old Hassan Mafaz of M. Mulah. Both men were arrested in February and remain in custody.
Under Maldivian law, the smuggling of 36 kilogrammes of narcotics is regarded as a highly serious offence and is automatically classified as drug trafficking due to the quantity involved, indicating importation for commercial distribution.
Foreign nationals convicted of drug trafficking in the Maldives are subject to the same legal penalties as Maldivian citizens under the Narcotics Act. The offence carries a sentence of life imprisonment, defined under Maldivian law as 25 years, and fines ranging from MVR 100,000 to MVR 10 million.
Suspects in serious drug trafficking cases are generally held in custody pending trial under the Criminal Procedure Act, as such offences are considered to pose a significant threat to public safety.
