Two Fuvahmulah Individuals Charged in Major Drug Trafficking Operation
Photo: MV+
The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) has formally charged two individuals, Hassan Azim and Ahmed Niushad, in connection with a large-scale drug trafficking operation in Fuvahmulah.
Azim, from Zamaneege, and Niushad, from Karankavilla, were arrested in December 2024 as part of a police operation targeting drug-related crimes.
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Although the High Court ordered their release in January 2025, they now face charges in the Criminal Court. The PGO has filed three main charges against them: participation in a criminal organisation, money laundering, and the establishment of a drug distribution network.
According to the prosecution, Azim and Niushad were responsible for creating a structured network for distributing drugs in Fuvahmulah. The operation was uncovered on 27 April 2024, when police discovered a significant quantity of drugs at a residence on the island. Investigations into their bank accounts revealed that small deposits from multiple individuals were accumulated into their accounts, indicating financial transactions linked to the trafficking operation.
The network, which included organised systems for packaging, marketing, and selling drugs, was active until August 2024. Payments were reportedly made to various dealers who sold drugs in a structured manner, and records were kept of drugs distributed on credit.
In addition to the charges of drug trafficking, Azim and Niushad face accusations of receiving and using large sums of money derived from drug transactions between July 1, 2019, and August 2024. Investigations show that MVR 5.9 million was deposited into Azim’s account, while MVR 21.8 million was deposited into Niushad’s.
The PGO has also requested the forfeiture of assets believed to have been acquired with illicit funds, seeking to recover MVR 1.1 million along with several valuable items. These include four motorcycles, five cars, two pickups, one vessel, and 38 parrots – including 29 Sun Conure parrots and nine Ringneck parrots. The prosecution argues that these assets should be confiscated by the state as they were allegedly purchased using proceeds from drug-related activities.
