Two men accused of leading a drug trafficking and money laundering network in Fuvahmulah City have been re-arrested following a new court order.

The suspects, identified as Ahmed Niushad, 34, and Hassan Azim, 29, were taken into custody on January 12, 2025, in Malé City after initially being released by the High Court.

The pair were first arrested during a special operation conducted in December 2024 but were later released after the High Court ruled that their remand order did not comply with Article 60 of the Criminal Procedures Act.

However, the Fuvahmulah Magistrate Court issued fresh warrants for their arrest, citing ongoing concerns over the evidence presented by the police.

Both men are accused of managing substantial financial transactions without legitimate sources of income. According to the court order, Azim's bank account saw transactions totaling MVR 5 million, while Niushad’s account handled MVR 21 million over five years. Neither individual is reported to have full-time employment, raising suspicions of illicit activity.

Following their re-arrest, the Criminal Court ruled to hold Azim in custody for seven days and Niushad for ten days to facilitate further investigations. The court noted that despite their earlier release, there were no legal obstacles to implementing new remand orders.

The arrests are part of "Operation Veshi Rakkal," an extensive anti-drug operation launched January 14, 2024 in Fuvahmulah City. The operation has targeted drug networks and money laundering activities, leading to the arrest of 58 individuals, with 75 related cases under investigation. Additionally, 65 cases have been forwarded to the Prosecutor General’s Office for prosecution.

Authorities continue to investigate the case, which they say highlights the broader challenges posed by drug trafficking and financial crimes in the region.