Mohamed Zunan Najmi, of Levinia/Hithadhoo, Addu, has been sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison and fined MVR 500,000 for trafficking drugs to A.Dh. Mahibadhoo.  
The verdict was delivered on Tuesday by Mahibadhoo Magistrate Aminath Niyasha.  
Najmi was arrested at Mahibadhoo port on September 5 last year following a tip-off received by police intelligence. Drugs were found inside his bag at the time of arrest.  
He was charged with trafficking cannabis. Najmi initially denied the charges and presented witnesses in his defense. However, in September this year, he entered into a plea agreement with the state, pleading guilty.  
Under the plea deal, the court commuted the sentence, which carries a maximum of 25 years, by half. With the commutation, Najmi will serve 11 years, two months and 26 days, excluding time already spent in custody pending trial.