Nine Arrested in Joint Counter-Narcotics Raid in Rasdhoo
Nine individuals have been arrested in Alifu Alifu Rasdhoo following a joint counter-narcotics operation targeting suspected drug trafficking, illicit consumption, and alcohol production, law enforcement authorities confirmed.
The operation was executed yesterday, by the Drug Enforcement Department, Counter Narcotics Intelligence, and Alifu Alifu Atoll Police. Acting under court warrants, officers raided 10 residential properties across the island, seizing paraphernalia and equipment believed to be used in the illicit manufacture of narcotics and alcohol.
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The police identified the nine suspects, comprising eight Maldivian nationals and one foreign national:
- Mohamed Ulwan Rasheed (21), Lilymead / AA. Rasdhoo
- Ahmed Areef (37), Guldhasthaage / AA. Rasdhoo
- Ibrahim Dhinaan (30), Hawaamanzil / AA. Rasdhoo
- Ahmed Ikleel (37), Fehivina / AA. Rasdhoo
- Ahmed Mohamed (44), Kaarneathmaage / AA. Rasdhoo
- Ali Waseem (44), Kaarneathmaage / AA. Rasdhoo
- Leena Moosa (23), Vidhuvaruge / HDh. Kumundhoo
- Rimaaz Mohamed (29), Hikifinifenmaage / AA. Thoddoo
- Mehedi Hassan (27), Bangladeshi national
Following their arrest, the suspects were presented before the court for remand hearings. Remand periods were set as follows:
- 10 days in custody: Ibrahim Dhinaan, Rimazu Mohamed, Ali Waseem, and Mehedi Hassan.
- 7 days in custody: Ahmed Ikleel.
- 5 days in custody: Mohamed Ulwan Rasheed, Ahmed Areef, and Ahmed Mohamed.
- 3 days in custody: Leena Moosa.
The Maldives Police Service stated that active investigations into the network and seized materials remain ongoing.
The joint operation in Rasdhoo comes amid updated national data reflecting ongoing enforcement and rehabilitation challenges across the country.
Official figures released by the Drug Court for September this year show that 1,118 individuals are currently undergoing court-mandated rehabilitation across various treatment phases. Of those bound by court orders, 629 individuals have been in treatment for under a year, while 375 people have been enrolled in rehabilitation programmes for between one and three years.
According to police statistics, law enforcement authorities have logged 2,074 drug-related cases so far this year, exceeding the total of 2,066 cases recorded throughout the entirety of last year.
