The Criminal Court has sentenced four individuals to life in prison for drug trafficking, with the State seizing the illicit funds they acquired through their illegal activities.
The four individuals were convicted of trafficking diamorphine and handed 25-year life sentences. Criminal Court Judge Ismail Shafeeu presided over the case and convicted all four.
- Hassan Looth (Rangal, Gaafu Dhaalu atoll Thinadhoo)
- Hassan Rasheed (Flat no. 01-G-45)
- Ismail Shareef (White Rose, Thaa atoll Thimarafushi)
- Shaniya Ibrahim (Ma. Haslath)
The arrests were made on January 12, 2021, during a special police operation based on intelligence reports. During searches of their premises, significant amounts of drugs were found, and the court ruled that all four bore responsibility for the illegal substances discovered.
From Looth's residence, police seized MVR 1,466,000 stored in two bags. Meanwhile, Shareef and Shaniya were arrested from a guesthouse, where additional drugs were discovered. Police also confiscated MVR 68,875 from Shareef’s wallet and a bag at the guesthouse, and MVR 7,000 was handed to Shareef by another individual during the operation.
The court ordered that the state seize all funds connected to the trafficking operation, as per Article 158(a) of the Drugs Act, which states, "Unless the contrary is proven, any property or money believed to have been obtained as a result of or in connection with an offence shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to be proceeds of crime."
In addition to their prison sentences, the court imposed heavy fines: Looth was fined MVR 2 million, Rasheed MVR 1 million, and Shaniya and Shareef MVR 500,000 each. These fines must be paid within one year.
The defendants claimed that the seized money was not connected to criminal activities, but they failed to provide evidence to the court proving the legality of the funds. Some of the accused also argued that they were drug users and that the substances found were for personal use.
