Nepalese duo arrested for smuggling ingested drugs into Maldives

Two Nepalese nationals have been arrested by Maldivian authorities on suspicion of ingesting and smuggling a large quantity of drugs into the country.

40-year-old Nepalese woman Ithraanee Gale and 47-year-old Nepalese man Nikka Thamang had their remand hearings held in absentia at the Criminal Court on Saturday.

 They are both accused of smuggling and trafficking drugs into the Maldives.

At court, the police said that a large quantity of drugs were found inside their bodies, but did not specify the quantity.

The court decided was sufficient evidence against them, and remanded both in custody of the police for three days. The evidence submitted against them included the statement of a scene-of-crime officer as well as a document by Maldives Customs Service.

Both Gale and Thamang were admitted to a health facility, preventing them from attending Saturday’s hearing in-person.

The court instructed the police to have them both presented at court once their health condition improves.

The court also made the provisional decision to rule out any irregularities in their arrest, but decided to hear any objections they may have regarding their arrest at their next remand hearing.