The police have detained a person believed to operate a ‘drug café’ in Male’ City, along with three people who allegedly went there to use drugs.
The police raided the Male’ property – one of multiple establishments that serve as a “café” for drug users – on Monday.
Court documents show thee police arrested total 10 people in the raid. However, six were later released, leaving four suspects; a 37-year-old man from Th. Thimarafushi who the police suspect operates the “drug café”, and three people who were there to use drugs – a 36-year-old man from R. Dhuvaafaru, 39-year-old man from Fuvahmulah City, and a 60-year-old man from GA. Kolamaafushi.
All four were brought before the Criminal Court for their remand hearings on Tuesday.
The investigator told the court that the police seized one rubber packet containing drugs, along with burnt foil paper and pipes in the raid.
The investigator also told the court that the 37-year-old was known to be the person operating the “drug café.”
The court found the evidence submitted in the case, which includes the statement of one of the police officers who conducted the raid, to be sufficient to warrant the suspicions against the four suspects.
The court ordered for the alleged operator of the “drug café” to be held in a custodial jail for 30 days. But left it to the police to hold him in a drug offender remand center instead of a custodial jail if they find he requires treatment for drug addiction.
Meanwhile, the other three – who asked for leniency citing that they work full-time jobs - were remanded in a custodial jail for seven days.
The court also instructed the investigator to verify their claim of employment.
Court documents show all four have a record for prior arrests and detentions. All four waived their right to an attorney