Man receives 50 year sentence for drug trafficking

Criminal Court has sentenced a man to 50 years in prison for convictions in two drug trafficking charges. 

Yoosuf Riza was charged with trafficking cannabis and with trafficking drugs as under Appendix 1. 

He was charged with trafficking cannabis after 130g of cannabis were found in an apartment linked to him. The drugs were found concealed in various locations around the apartment. 

The charge of drug trafficking under Appendix 1 was raised due to 70g of mephedrone being found in the same apartment. The apartment was searched by police after Riza's arrest.

Riza denied the charges in court. However, based on the evidence, the Criminal Court ruled for a conviction. 

The court ruled that it is proven that the drugs were in his apartment with his knowledge. 

For each charge, he received a 25 year prison sentence, along with a fine of MVR 100,000. 

In total, Riza has been sentenced to 50 years in prison and a fine of MVR 200,000, which is to be paid within 12 months.