Abdul Hameed Abdul Samad one of biggest drug dealers in the country has been sentenced to life by the criminal court.The court ruling also ordered government to confiscate all his assets over charges of trafficking in November’s 2.18 kilogram heroin haul.
The According to Judge Moosa Mohamed’s ruling Hameed’s assets which included a motorcycle, a car, a garment shop, a launch, a house (Ma. Hasnavilla), VI Engineering Workshop and monies in his accounts at Habib Bank and Bank of Maldives are to be confiscated.
Based on Hameed’s statement given to police whilst in their custody, the Judge Moosa Mohamed ruled Hameed was guilty of drug trafficking and plotting to bring drugs into the Maldives through a Pakistani called Azmath Khan.
At court Hameed had pleaded not guilty to the charges. He said his confessions were obtained after prolonged period of sleep deprivation. According to his statements given to police Hameed confessed to receiving a phone call from an unidentified source in Malaysia which asked to him to collect the 2.18 kg of drugs from Azmath Khan. Hameed also confessed going to the guest where Azmath Khan stayed to collect the drugs but did not enter after seeing two police officers. However on the first day of the hearing Hameed withdrew his statement saying that it was forced out of him through sleep deprivation.
Hameed is the fourth person who has been given life sentence. Azmath Khan, Ahmed Arif Waheed and Ibrahim Habeeb, who aided in the transfer of the drugs from Azmath Khan to other dealers, were sentenced to life for drug trafficking earlier.
Mohamed Shafeeg, the customs officer who ordered junior officers not to search the baggage, at the airport was acquitted. However Attorney General’s office has informed that courts decision is to be appealed at the High Court. 4 police officers have also been charged with accepting bribes to give false evidence in the case.
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