Court Rejects Drug Appeal Over Fee

The High Court has dismissed an appeal in a major drug trafficking case involving 72 kilograms of narcotics after the Prosecutor General's Office failed to pay the required registration fee by the deadline. The case centers on drugs smuggled into the country aboard the fishing vessel Masjaree 2, transferred to the launch Princess Sameera for transport to Malé, and later seized from a car where they were concealed. Ten individuals were initially arrested in connection with the December 2020 operation, but charges were ultimately filed against only three alleged masterminds: Irfan Thagiyyu of S. Hulhudhoo, Ahmed Naseer of Dh. Maaenboodhoo, and Mohamed Akram of H. Garden Beauty. None were convicted. High Court Registrar Mariyam Hoorushidha stated that the PG's Office was notified to pay the fee on October 5 but failed to comply. "While the notification of case acceptance by the High Court was emailed on October 5th, the registration fee was not paid within the period specified," her decision read, citing Article 33 of the High Court Regulations 2011. PG Office spokesperson Ahmed Shafeeu countered that the notification was never received at their designated email address, despite other High Court communications arriving normally. "Although various emails were sent from the High Court on that day and the next, the email related to this specific case was not received," he explained. The PG's Office plans to seek a review of the decision, believing the court should reconsider it independently. Police reports indicate Irfan Thagiyyu received the drugs in Malé, loaded them into a car parked on Fareedhee Magu, where officers found the narcotics in luggage boxes and sacks during a search conducted in his presence. — Source fragments: