A pregnant Dutch woman, identified as Brittany Adofo Boafo, has been remanded in custody for 30 days after being arrested on charges of smuggling and trafficking drugs into the Maldives.
The woman was apprehended trying to smuggle drugs into the country. During her remand hearing, the court became aware of her pregnancy and ordered the Investigation Officer (IO) to monitor her closely. The IO subsequently reported that five kilograms of drugs were discovered in her luggage.
Boafo's lawyer informed the court that the police had requested her cooperation for a controlled delivery, but she was unable to comply due to unfamiliarity with the process and a claim that the luggage had been swapped. Her lawyer also requested the court to expedite the investigation given her pregnancy.
The court order states that sufficient evidence has been presented to levy charges against the pregnant woman for committing the crime.
Drug abuse remains a significant social challenge in the Maldives. In response, the President has directed efforts to incorporate the death penalty into law for individuals found guilty of drug smuggling or trafficking offenses.