The Criminal Court has sentenced a foreign national to a significant prison term for the illicit import of narcotic substances into the Maldives. The judgment was passed against Mohamed Sohab Mia, a citizen of Bangladesh.

Mia faced charges of drug importation following his arrival in the Maldives on June 28, 2024, via US-Bangla Airlines flight BS337. Suspicion arose during a routine X-ray scan of his luggage at Velana International Airport, leading to a more thorough search. Authorities subsequently discovered a packet believed to contain illicit drugs concealed within his laptop bag.

Forensic analysis confirmed that the seized substance was 535.6632 grams of methamphetamine.

After reviewing the case thoroughly, the Criminal Court determined that the charges against Mia were proven beyond reasonable doubt. Consequently, under the provisions of the Drug Act, and after deducting the period of his pre-trial detention, Mohamed Sohab Mia was sentenced to 23 years, 3 months, and 25 days in prison, in addition to a fine of MVR 100,000.