State drops trafficking case against alleged 61 kg drug smuggler

The State has requested the dismissal of a cannabis trafficking case against Ahmed Visaam, M. Boilingfish, Male’ city, who is also implicated as a key figure in the smuggling of 61 kilograms of illicit drugs into the Maldives.

The dismissed case against Visaam originated in 2017 following the discovery of drugs in his possession. Subsequently, he became one of the accused in the significant seizure of 61.06 kg of drugs from the fishing vessel 'Iru-ali' on March 26, 2020. This operation was a joint effort by Police Intelligence, the Drug Enforcement Department, and Marine Police.

The 2017 case was pending before the High Court when the prosecution moved for its dismissal. This development occurred while the more substantial 61 kg drug case was simultaneously unfolding. In the 2017 case, Criminal Court Judge Hassan Saeed had ruled in January 2020 that the charges were not proven, despite a considerable quantity of drugs being discovered under the seat of Visaam's PCX motorcycle.

The prosecution had appealed the Criminal Court's decision to the High Court in February 2020. The decision to drop the case was based on the grounds that Visaam had no prior criminal record and cited the delays experienced in the High Court. The case, registered in the High Court on February 12, 2020, had remained pending for five years. The High Court bench, presided over by Deebanaz Fahmy, with Justices Huzaifa Mohamed and Abdullah Jameel Moosa (appointed last month) also sitting, ultimately dismissed the case.

Despite the dismissal of this specific case at the prosecution's request, it is notable that the prosecution had previously alleged Visaam to be the leader of the criminal network involved in the 61 kg drug trafficking operation.