The Criminal Court has sentenced a man to 100 years in prison and fined him 400,000 Rufiyaa after finding him guilty of growing cannabis plants inside a home in Malé and trafficking drugs.

The Criminal Court delivered this verdict on the 31st of last month against Ahmed Yasih, of Nishan, N. Kendhikulhudhoo. This heavy sentence follows the conviction on four charges raised by the state: manufacturing a narcotic, trafficking drugs, trafficking diamorphine, and trafficking cannabis.

The case emerged on May 13, 2023. On that day, following a public report of a suspected marijuana plant outside a house on Banafsaa Magu in Malé, police attended the scene. While police were active in the area, Ahmed Yasih arrived, admitted the plant was his, and stated there were more plants on the balcony of his residence, G. Girimini. Consequently, police searched the house with his permission.

During the search, four plants were found in pots on the balcony and two in his room. Analysis of the seven total plants (including the one found on the street) confirmed they were cannabis. Evidence further indicated that other types of narcotics were also found in the apartment.

Although Yasih denied the charges in court, presiding Judge Ibrahim Ihusan ruled that the evidence proved the offense. The verdict noted that marijuana is not a plant commonly grown in the Maldives, and Yasih could not explain how he acquired them or his reason for growing them. Thus, the court determined he had cultivated the plants.

With four charges proven, a 25-year prison sentence was issued for each, totaling 100 years. Additionally, a fine of 100,000 Rufiyaa per charge—totaling 400,000 Rufiyaa—was imposed, to be paid within 12 months.