Adhadhu understands that Shahil Mohamed, 42, who was recently arrested alongside several film stars, had previously been released from pretrial detention in a two-kilogram drug trafficking case at the request of the Prosecutor General’s (PG) Office.
According to information obtained by Adhadhu, Shahil was first arrested on July 25, 2024, in connection with a drug seizure from the luggage of a Pakistani national who arrived at Velana International Airport (VIA) on an Etihad Airways flight the previous day.
During the controlled delivery operation conducted by police on July 25, Ahmed Affan was arrested after collecting the luggage containing the narcotics. Shahil was apprehended during a follow-up controlled delivery operation when he took delivery of the same luggage.
A forensic analysis report revealed that the luggage contained over two kilograms of diamorphine, concealed within a false bottom. Shahil was charged with accessory to the importation of a Schedule 1 narcotic into the Maldives.
While Shahil was being held in custody pending the outcome of his trial, a review hearing was held on March 30 this year following a request by the PG Office to reconsider his detention. During that hearing, the court granted the PG’s request, vacating the detention order and granting him conditional release.
Public Prosecutor Ahmed Shafeeu told Adhadhu that while cases against two other individuals involved in the two-kilogram drug bust have concluded, Shahil’s case has reached the closing statement stage. He clarified that the request for Shahil’s release was based on the length of his detention and his medical condition.
Shahil was arrested last Thursday again during a police operation alongside three prominent film stars: Ahmed Azmeel (Azey), 44; Ismail Jumaih, 35; and Mohamed Vishaal (Roman), 29.
All suspects tested positive for two types of synthetic drugs related to methamphetamine. Reports indicate that the quantity of narcotics seized during this latest operation meets the threshold for drug trafficking charges.
According to the court order remanding the suspects, police discovered narcotics in plain view on a table when they entered the room. The court has ordered all suspects to be remanded in custody for 15 days.
Among those arrested, Azmeel and Jumaih were previously married to two sisters from the same family. Azmeel is a long-standing figure in the local film industry, while Roman is a more recent addition to the profession.
