The Indian Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) says a 57-year-old Maldivian woman who was arrested in India last week had been smuggling drugs for years.
The woman identified as Aminath Rasheeda of Baa Atoll Eydhafushi was arrested in connection to the 4 kg of opium Indian authorities had seized last December.
She had been remanded in custody for another 14 days after the initial 3 days had expired.
Quoting NCB, an Indian online news site said that Rasheed ran a clothing business in the Maldives and that NCB had found that the suspect had been frequently visiting India. It also said that the investigation had shown that Rasheeda had been involved in drug smuggling.
The news report mentioned that a circular had been issued against the suspect after NCB had connected her to the drug haul seized back in December.
It further said that she was unaware of the lookout circular as the agency did not act in the case to ensure that she was not alerted.
According to NCB officials, on February 12, she landed at the Cochin airport and was arrested by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and informed NCB’s Mumbai unit.
The online news report also said that investigation has revealed that she was in the smuggling business for many years and one of her sons is a peddler and was arrested in the Maldives.
Maldivian authorities are yet to make a statement on the matter.
