Four men arrested in connection with the serious injury of a police officer at a Sinamalé Bridge checkpoint have tested positive for drugs, according to police.
The four men have been remanded in custody for five days after a court issued the order following a request for time to appoint a lawyer.
Police allege that the men deliberately drove at high speed with the intention of injuring the officer. The court’s remand order reportedly cited police statements, CCTV footage and a photographic report documenting the officer’s injuries as evidence supporting the allegations.
The suspects include the two men travelling on the motorcycle that struck the officer and two other individuals allegedly linked to the incident. All four tested positive for drugs in preliminary results, according to the court order.
The suspects have been identified as Ahmed Maaish Mohamed Mahir, 21, of Feneeva, S.Hithadhoo; Anoof bin Mohamed, 21, of H. Filmeesite Malé; Abdullah Sammah Hassan Sadiq, 20, of Uhdhandimaage Kulhudhuffushi; and Ahmed Sinaaz, 30, of Mala in Gaafaru.
The incident occurred at approximately 4:29 a.m. on Friday, October 17, when a motorcycle travelling at high speed crashed into a vehicle checkpoint on the highway from Malé towards Hulhumalé before striking an officer on duty.
The officer sustained serious facial injuries, including broken teeth, and is receiving treatment at ADK Hospital. Minister of Homeland Security has also visited him in the hospital.
Maldives Police Service is investigating the incident as a serious case. Police have also pledged to continue their special operation targeting dangerous driving and speeding.
