A man identified as one of the key players in a major drug network in Fuvahmulah City has been sentenced to 75 years in jail on drug trafficking charges.
Police identified the defendant as 28-year-old Abdul Basith from Fuvamulah. He was sentenced to 75 years in prison and fined MVR 300,000 on the 24th of this month.
Police said the defendant was arrested in 2024 as part of a special operation launched by the police against money laundering networks that smuggle drugs into Fuvahmulah City.
Police detailed that he was arrested on April 27, 2024, and a large amount of drugs were recovered from his house. The case was sent to the Prosecutor General's Office on June 11, 2024, for prosecution.
They also said during the operation in the City, the police arrested around 174 individuals from two major drug networks operating in the City. Police also stated that they have launched over 180 cases against these suspects, with 78 cases having been referred to the Prosecutor General's Office for prosecution.
Police further said that the investigations have uncovered several financial transactions with the leaders of two networks, who have also been accused of money laundering along with drug trafficking.
They said that more than MVR 3 million and over USD 19,000 have been transferred to accounts opened in Abdul Basit's name. Police investigation revealed that the money was obtained from drug trafficking.
Police noted that Abdu Basith's conviction is a major win for them in their fight against drug trafficking and mentioned the role of the Prosecutor General's Office in achieving this win.
