The Prosecutor General’s (PG) Office has advised the Maldives Police Service to release suspects arrested in Addu City on charges of drug trafficking and money laundering, citing a lack of sufficient evidence to proceed with criminal prosecution.
In a press statement, the PG Office detailed that the investigative period for the case involving Ali Nadeem (Konmuli, S. Hithadhoo) and several others expired on Monday, March 2. The suspects were accused of operating an extensive drug distribution network in Addu City and laundering the illicit proceeds.
A total of seven individuals, including Ali Nadeem, faced two primary charges: participation in an organized criminal group under Section 720 of the Penal Code of the Maldives, and money laundering under Section 53 of the Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Act.
List of Suspects:
- Ali Nadeem – Konmuli, S. Hithadhoo
- Ibrahim Siraj – Veyofehebuge, S. Hithadhoo
- Hassan Alfaaf – Dorufothimage, S. Hithadhoo
- Ameen Mohamed – Kekurimage, S. Hithadhoo
- Salaam Saeed – Lobstum, S. Hithadhoo
- Hafiz Fawzee – Falaah, S. Hithadhoo
- Zahna Ahmed – Ambareege, D. Hulhudheli
The PG Office noted that the investigative timeframe had been extended multiple times to the maximum duration permitted by law. However, upon reviewing the available evidence and testimony at the conclusion of this period, it was determined that the evidence did not meet the legal threshold required to prove the suspects’ involvement in an organized criminal group or money laundering activities.
The statement further clarified that the investigation had not yielded adequate evidence to sustain a prosecution. According to the Criminal Procedure Act, if sufficient evidence to press charges is not obtained within the statutory investigative period, the investigative authority is mandated to release the detainees. Consequently, the PG Office has formally advised the Maldives Police Service to release those currently in custody related to this case.
While the case has been returned due to the current lack of prosecutable evidence, the PG Office emphasized that the Maldives Police Service has been advised to resubmit the case for prosecution under the Criminal Procedure Act should new evidence come to light.
The suspects were apprehended last December in Addu City as part of a major police crackdown titled “Operation Alimag.” At the time of the arrests, police alleged that the individuals were running a sophisticated drug network. Authorities had previously stated that over MVR 19 million had circulated through the bank accounts of four key figures in the network over the past five years, with evidence suggesting the network’s involvement in the drug trade dating back to 2017.
