A woman arrested last August for attempting to smuggle drugs from Malé to Addu by air has been sentenced to 12 years in prison by the Criminal Court.

Saha Waheed, 30, of Udares, Gaafu Dhaalu Madaveli, was arrested at Velana International Airport on August 7.

The court ruling quoted the police as stating that Saha, who was wearing a niqab, was stopped and searched while preparing to depart. During the search, police discovered rubber packets containing 202 grams of diamorphine concealed between her jeans and waist.

Following her arrest, the court extended her remand, and she remained in custody until her sentencing. She proceeded without legal representation, the Criminal Court’s ruling on Wednesday said.

Saha pleaded guilty and entered into a plea agreement with the state, which reduced the 25-year prison sentence for drug trafficking.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Criminal Court found Saha guilty and sentenced her to 12 years and six months in jail. She was also fined MVR 50,000, to be paid within one year.

The judge further ordered that the time she spent in custody after her arrest be deducted from her prison sentence. As a result, four months and three days were subtracted from her total jail term.