Police probe alleged drug kingpin Shaheeb’s wife for harboring a fugitive

Police have opened an investigation against the wife of former People’s National Congress (PNC) councilman Shaheeb Ibrahim - who the police believe to be one of the ringleaders of a large-scale drug trafficking network – on allegations she helped her fugitive husband evade authorities.

Shaheeb, 47, Lighthouse, G A. Vilingili, was arrested in connection to a 130 kilo drug bust in October 2020, in which the police discovered a 130-kilo drug shipment from a fishing boat in the lagoon of suburban Hulhumale’.

The police had made public announcement seeking his whereabouts twice in September, citing the need to enforce Criminal Court order instructing police to produce him at court.

The first public announcement was posted on September 13, and the second one on Thursday.

He had surrendered to police on Thursday, shortly after the police arrested his wife on suspicion of harboring a fugitive.

A police spokesperson said Shaheeb’s wife was released from custody the same day, but remains under investigation on suspicion of harboring a fugitive.

The police have not disclosed her identity.

Shaheeb, who had served as a coordinator at the Housing Ministry during former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s administration, was suspended and then later dismissed from PNC’s council following his arrest.

The police made seven arrests in connection to the drug bust; local men aged between 25-48 years, and one minor.

They released the identities of two they believe to be the ringleaders of the drug trafficking network; Shaheeb and Ahmed Moosa, Violet Villa, HA. Hoarafushi.

Shaheeb was initially remanded in jail pending the outcome of his trial, but both he and Ahmed Moosa were released by the Criminal Court in 2022.