Two suspected drug lords from Fuvahmulah have been released from custody at the request of the Prosecutor General's (PG) Office.

Adhadhu understands the suspects were Ahmed Niushad, 34 abd Hassan Azim, 29. They are accused of running a drug network and laundering money.

Their release comes amid the April 4 local council elections and the referendum to merge the parliamentary and presidential elections.

Adhadhu understands that they were freed on the PG Office's request. It is unclear why the PG Office made the request during the election campaign.

The PG Office did not respond when contacted by Adhadhu.

“From the efforts made so far in this operation and the investigations conducted, we have identified the suspects and their accomplices who are at the forefront of extensive drug trafficking and money laundering in Fuvahmulah,” police said in a statement at the time of their arrest.

The investigation revealed that more than MVR 21 million had been rolled through Niushad’s bank account in the past five years, and more than MVR 7 million had been rolled through Azim’s bank account in the past two years.

The PG Office has been seeking to confiscate their property and wealth:

• MVR 1.1 million deposited in the Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB)
• Five cars
• Four bicycles
• Two pickups
• One sea vessel
• 29 Sun Conure birds
• Nine Ring-necked birds

Meanwhile, the police recently released six suspects arrested in connection with drug trafficking and money laundering in Addu city. They were also released after a recommendation from the PG Office.

The PG Office said the police could not find sufficient evidence to prove their involvement in a criminal organisation or in money laundering when the statutory deadline for investigation ended.

"The investigation period in this case has been extended on several occasions up to the maximum period permitted by law. However, during that period, the investigation has not been adequately completed, and sufficient evidence has not been obtained," the PG Office stated.

The PG Office added that police were advised to file a request for re-prosecution under the Criminal Procedure Code if they can find additional evidence through ongoing investigations.