Addu drug traffickers' identities revealed

Police last night revealed the identities of the suspects arrested in Addu last Wednesday on charges of large-scale drug trafficking. 

Five individuals were arrested. They are:

When presented in court for their remand hearing, Nadheem, Hafiz and Siraj were placed in remand in custody for 30 days. Alfaaf and Ameen, however, were remanded only for five days. 

All five belong to a Hithadhoo group known as 'Milo', with Nadheem said to be the leader. 

Police said that an operation targeting this network, investigating drug trafficking and money laundering, was commenced in March this year. They said that investigations so far indicate that the network has been trafficking drugs since 2017. 

Over the past five years, over MVR 19 million has been rolled through the bank accounts of four persons within this network, according to Police. 

These arrests fall under the 'Operation Alimagu', a major anti-drug operation launched last month on the instruction of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, Police said. 

Operation Alimagu largely focuses on identifying and arresting persons involved in drug trafficking and smuggling drugs into the country. 

"I have repeatedly warned and advised those engaged in the drug trade to cease such actions. Once the Police investigation reaches them, there won't be any mercy, sympathy or exemption. There will only be harsh legal action," Ali Ihusan, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, has stated. 

The parliament has also passed this week amendments to the Drugs Act, which now includes the death penalty for drug traffickers, provided the Supreme Court bench presiding over the case unanimously backs the sentence. In the instance that a unanimous verdict in favour is not reached, a life sentence will be issued, with imprisonment until death without possibility of parole or pardon.