The Criminal Court has sentenced Mohamed Aflah Abdulla, a resident of Suvaasaage, Lh. Hinnavaru, to 18 years in prison for his involvement in a drug trafficking network. In addition, Aflah was fined MVR 200,000, payable within 12 months.
Background of the Case
Aflah’s conviction stems from a case involving the trafficking of diamorphine, a controlled substance. The case is part of a larger investigation in which the court previously handed down life sentences to Hassan Looth of Rangal, GDh. Thinadhoo; Hassan Rasheed of Flat No. 45-G-01; and Ismail Shareef of White Rose, Th. Thimarafushi, for possession and trafficking of illegal drugs.
Authorities launched an operation on January 12, 2021, following intelligence that drugs and proceeds from their sale were being stored and distributed from residences and guesthouses in Male’.
Arrest and Evidence
During the operation, police searched a guesthouse room occupied by Ismail Shareef. It was then that Aflah arrived and handed Shareef MVR 7,800. Suspicious of a link to the drug operation, authorities arrested Aflah immediately.
The search also uncovered rubber packets and pieces of foil containing diamorphine. Further searches of properties linked to the case produced evidence showing that Shareef, Looth, and Rasheed had trafficked drugs from those locations. Additional proof included phone records and bank transactions, which established Aflah’s participation in the organized network.
Defendant’s Statement and Court Findings
Aflah denied any involvement in the trafficking operation, claiming that the money he handed to Shareef was rent for an apartment delivered on behalf of another individual. He also asserted that he had no links to the other accused. However, the court noted that he provided no supporting evidence for his claims.
The verdict highlighted several points contradicting Aflah’s statements. Call records indicated communication between him and the other accused, and on the day of the police operation, he transferred MVR 15,000 to an account linked to the network. The court concluded that the evidence clearly showed he was part of a structured drug trafficking network involving significant amounts of narcotics and money.
Sentencing and Seizures
In addition to Aflah’s 18-year prison sentence and MVR 200,000 fine, the court confirmed that the proceeds of crime from the network would be seized by the State. Previously, other members of the network, including Looth, Rasheed, Shareef, and Shaniya Ibrahim of Ma. Haslath, received life sentences. Police recovered MVR 1.4 million during the operation.
