The murder that rocked the island of L. Maavah on Monday is no simple killing, but one that underscores a deeper issue affecting the Maldives. The scourge of drugs that has been infecting islands across the country, from the populous capital Male’ to smaller communities such as Maavah.
Maavah has been struggling under the dark menace of drugs for years. And on Monday, it cost the life of a young man from Maavah, with another young man, a native of HDh. Nolhivaranfaru who had been visting the island, facing life behind bars for the killing.
Moosa Ibrahim, 29, Nalahiya, L. Maavah, died from a knife wound to his neck during a physical altercation outside the volleyball court in Maavah at around 10:00 am on Monday. Mohamed Ibrahim, 29, Asaree Manzil, HDh. Nolhivaranfaru, was detained shortly after.
According to multiple sources within Maavah, both of them had been living lives of drug-related crimes; one of them, Moosa, an alleged drug dealer and the other, Mohamed, an alleged drug addict and petty thief.
Sources report that Mohamed, who is in a relationship with a woman from Maavah, is a frequent visitor to the island. Though not a native of the island, he is well known within a community as a drug addict and petty thief. And he always carried a knife with him.
The fatal stabbing on Monday was not the first confrontation between the two. The day before, Moosa and his gang beat up Mohamed and threw him into the lagoon.
“I am 100 percent sure the issue between them is drug-related. The day before, Boaka [Moosa] and his group beat up Mode [Mohamed] and threw him into the sea for failing to pay for the drugs he bought for them,” said a credible source close to the matter.
“Just yesterday, even a relative of Boaka went to Mode and advised him to leave the island as quickly as possible. He warned that they might kill him.”
The police cordon off the scene of a murder in L. Maavah on July 28, 2025. (Sun Photo)
Eye witnesses reported seeing Mohamed carrying his knife around as usual on Monday; a common kitchen knife with a yellow handle. He even used the knife to cut fronds from a palm tree at the behest of a local who wanted to use it to make traditional medicine in the morning.
At around 10:00 am, Moosa and a friend saw Mohamed near the volleyball court and attacked him.
“Mode is physically smaller and weaker than Boaka. There was no way he could overpower Boaka. Boaka was tall and well-built. Multiple people saw them give Mode a severe beating. They kept hitting and hitting and tore the shirt off his back,” said a source.
“I saw the knife peeking out from where it was tucked inside the band of his shorts as they tore away his shirt. He took out the knife and slashed Boaka’s neck. Boaka had very long hair. But a lot of blood spurted out the moment he got cut. It even drenched the whole of Mode’s back. And then he fled.”
A source from Maavah, citing an eye witness, said Moosa had walked a short distance holding a hand to his bleeding neck, before collapsing to the ground.
The friend who was with Moosa began screaming for help. But he was already dead when taken to the health center at around 10:22 am.
Meanwhile, Mohamed rushed to the beach near the island’s football field. He threw the knife into the waters, washed his hands, and went to the police station, where he surrendered himself to the authorities.
“He surrendered himself to the police. I think he most likely went there to save himself out of fear that the group would kill him. I don’t think Mohamed realized Moosa had died when he surrendered himself to the police. But Mohamed cooperated with the police,” said a source.
The area where Mohamed Ibrahim threw the knife he used in a murder in L. Maavah on July 28, 2025. (Sun Photo)
Police retrieved the murder weapon from the waters on Monday. According to sources, it had been Mohamed who led the police there, and directed them to where he threw the knife.
Mohamed has been transported out of the island by the police. Meanwhile, Moosa’s body was transported to Male’ for forensic examinations on early Tuesday. A police spokesperson said that they have yet to decide whether an autopsy will be done.
The scene of the crime, along with other locations related to the case, remain closed to public. A large number of police officers continue to operate in the island, including forensic police.
Sources from Maavah report the community has been living in fear for years, under the dark shadow of a few members of the community who have chosen to make a life out of selling drugs. They have repeatedly gone to authorities seeking a solution to the issue, with authorities responding that their hands are tied due to laws.