Three Maldivian film stars released after drug arrest; fourth to be freed

Three Maldivian film stars arrested in a special anti-narcotics operation in Vilimale' have been released from custody, while a fourth person is also being released, police said on Thursday. The three film stars – Ahmed Azmeel (44), Ismail Jumaih (35), and Mohamed Vishal (Roman) (29) – were arrested on October 8, 2026, during a targeted operation by the Maldives Police Service. They were produced before the Criminal Court on October 9 and remanded for 15 days. However, police confirmed that the investigation into their case has been completed and the file has been sent to the Prosecutor General's Office. As a result, the three were released before the expiry of their remand period. The fourth person, Shahil Mohamed (42), is also being processed for release today. Police noted that if the court had ordered an extension of their remand, they would have complied. The court order stated that evidence against the three includes the statement of a police officer who traveled to China, and that urine samples from the three tested positive for drugs. Police said they forcibly entered the room where the three were staying and found drugs openly on a table. The temporary weight of the seized drugs was above the trafficking threshold. The three face charges of drug use, possession, and trafficking. Both Azmeel and Vishal have prior arrest and remand records, according to the court order.