Thursday 19 Mar 2026
Combined photos of (from L-R) Ahmed Rishmah, 21, Sunlight Villa, GA. Dhaandhoo; Looth Ibrahim, 29, Furusathu, GDh. Vaadhoo; and Ranjini Jeevananthan, 38, Malaysia. (Photo/Maldives Police Service)
A 38-year-old Malaysian woman, Ranjini Jeevananthan, was arrested on February 28 at Velana International Airport after authorities discovered over two kilograms of illicit narcotics in her possession. During subsequent remand hearings, Jeevananthan claimed she was acting as a courier, asserting that a friend provided the package and funded her three-day trip to the Maldives with instructions to deliver the items to an individual in Malé. Two local Maldivian men have also been arrested in connection with the investigation. The court has extended Jeevananthan’s remand for an additional 20 days as legal proceedings continue.
A Malaysian woman arrested for attempting to smuggle more than two kilograms of drugs into Maldives has told the court that the package was given to her by a friend, and that she travelled to Maldives at this friend’s expense.
The woman, identified as Ranjini Jeevananthan, 38, was arrested at Velana International Airport on February 28. Two Maldivian men were also arrested in connection with the case.
The suspects are:
Ahmed Rishmah, 21, Sunlight Villa, GA. Dhaandhoo
Looth Ibrahim, 29, Furusathu, GDh. Vaadhoo
Ranjini Jeevananthan, 38, Malaysia
According to the remand hearing held on Sunday, Ranjini told the court that the package she carried was handed to her by a friend and was meant to be delivered to a man in Male'. The court record also noted that she travelled to Maldives for only three days.
Ranjini was initially remanded for 15 days and was on Sunday remanded for an additional 20 days. The two Maldivian suspects were arrested separately following her detention.
Authorities have not yet disclosed further details of the investigation.
