Use of minors in drug trade: One suspect jailed pending trial’s outcome, other released

One of the two people arrested from GA. Vilingili in May on suspicion of using minors to peddle drugs has been jailed pending the outcome of his trial, while the other was released from police custody.

Mohamed Athoof Habeeb, 25; and Mohamed Raif Hussain, 20, we arrested on May 28, in a special joint operation by the Vilingili Police and Counter-Narcotics targeting people who recruit minors in the commission of drug-related crimes.

Athoof was initially remanded in police custody for 15 days, and Raif for 10 days.

A police spokesperson said on Tuesday that when brought before the court for an extension to their remand, the judge remanded Athoof in police custody pending the outcome of his trial, but granted Raif conditional release.

The police believe Athoof and Raif to be the ringleaders of a drug network based in Vilingili.

The police raided four properties as part of the operation, and seized 66.92 grams of drugs – 53.91 grams of brown sugar and 13.01 grams of methamphetamine.

The police state that the operation was conducted as part of efforts to prevent exploitation of children in drug-related crimes.

The case is under further investigation by the Vilingli Police Station.