Man Sentenced to 75 Years for Drug Trafficking

The criminal court has sentenced a 28-year-old man to 75 years’ imprisonment after finding him guilty of drug trafficking, police have confirmed. 

The police identified the man as Abdul Basith, of Gasdhoshuge, Fuvahmulah. They stated that he received the 75-year prison term and was ordered to pay a fine of MVR 300,000. 

Police said they arrested Basith in 2024 during a special operation targeting networks accused of smuggling drugs, distributing narcotics and laundering the proceeds of sales. Officers searched his residence following his arrest and seized a significant quantity of illegal drugs.

Authorities concluded the investigation and forwarded the case to the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) of the Maldives for charges on 11 June 2024. 

According to the Maldives Police Service, officers have arrested 174 individuals in connection with the wider operation on various dates. Those detained include individuals identified as key figures from two networks operating drug trafficking rings.

Police said they have investigated 188 cases linked to the suspects, with 78 of those cases submitted to the PGO for prosecution.