119-kilo drug trial: One convicted, two acquitted

Combined photos of (from left to right) Ahmed Mujahidh, 29, Allora, GDh. Hoadedhdhoo; GDh. Hoadedhdhoo; Ali Zubair, 52, Guleynooramaage, GDh. Hoadedhdhoo; Ahmed Sunain, 25, Irumatheege. (Photo/Maldives Police Service)

One person arrested in a 2021 counter-drug operation that led to the seizure of over 100 kilos of heroin received a life sentence on Wednesday, while two other suspects were acquitted.

Three people were charged with drug trafficking in the case. They are:

Ali Zubair, Guleynooramaage, GDh. Hoadedhdhoo
Ahmed Sunain, Irumatheege, GDh. Hoadedhdhoo
Ahmed Mujahidh, Allora, GDh. Hoadedhdhoo

The Criminal Court issued its ruling in the case on Wednesday. It found Ali Zubair guilty of the charge, and sentenced him to a life term of 25 years in prison, and imposed a fine of MVR 100,000.

Meanwhile, Sunain and Mujahidh were acquitted. The latter is the elder brother of alleged drug kingpin Arshad Khalid, Allora, GDh. Hoadedhdhoo.

The case involves the seizure of drugs from the trunk of a taxi in Male’ City in December 2021. The drugs were found in a carboard box in the trunk. Sunain and Zubair had been in the taxi at the time.

The police found more drugs in a car driven by Mujahidh in Hulhumale’, and other properties.