A man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison after authorities caught him attempting to smuggle illicit substances attached to his body with duct tape.
On October 1, 2026, the Criminal Court convicted Abdulla Faseeh, a resident of Haveeree-ge in Sh. Noomaraa, on two counts of drug trafficking, imposing a total prison term of 50 years alongside a fine of MVR 200,000.
The charges stem from an incident on October 7, 2024, when security officers searched Faseeh at Velana International Airport prior to his domestic flight to GA. Kooddoo. During the body search, officers discovered packages of drugs taped to his legs.
Presiding Judge Ali Nadeem found Faseeh guilty under the Narcotics Act on two separate charges:
- Diamorphine Trafficking: Officers retrieved 23.5976 grams of diamorphine hidden beneath the tape. The court handed down a life sentence and an MVR 100,000 fine. Accounting for the 7 months and 27 days Faseeh had already spent in remand, his remaining prison time for this count stands at 24 years, 4 months, and 3 days.
- Cannabis Trafficking: Authorities also recovered 10 film canisters holding 252.1652 grams of cannabis. This charge resulted in a second life sentence along with an additional MVR 100,000 fine.
Faseeh must pay the combined MVR 200,000 fine to the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) within one year of the ruling.
Throughout the proceedings, defense lawyers claimed Faseeh was coerced into carrying the substances as a victim of human trafficking. However, the court ruled that the defense failed to present any supporting evidence, noting also that Faseeh had exercised his right to remain silent during police investigations. Concluding that the state had established guilt beyond a reasonable doubt on both counts, the court convicted him accordingly.
