Maldives Police Detain Son of Ruling Party MP Over Suspected Drug Dealing

Ahmed Thoiban Mohamed, the son of West Maafannu Member of Parliament Mohamed Falaah, was arrested by the Maldives Police Service on Monday, February 20th, 2023. The police suspect him of dealing drugs and selling alcohol. Thoiban was taken to the criminal court the following day, and the court ordered that he be detained for three days.

This is not the first time Thoibaan has been arrested by the Maldives Police Service. In July of 2022 he was arrested for being heavily intoxicated and challenging officers during an incident in which he threatened them and claimed to be a British national. Despite his claims, he does not hold British citizenship but studies in a British university. Thoiban's sister works at the Maldivian High Commission in the UK. Thoiban's uncle Abdul Sattar (Sato) was also involved in the FPID scandal that plagued the country in the 1990s.

During the previous incident, the officers present at the time reported that Thoiban had threatened action against every MPS officer who arrested him and warned that his father was an MP from the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and that he was above the law. Despite the threats, Thoiban was arrested and taken to the Galolhu Police station. However, shortly thereafter, Hassan Hameed, MPS' Civil Legal Director, arrived at the station and, according to reports, was exceedingly submissive towards Thoiban. Thoiban was subsequently released under Hameed's care.

The current arrest of Thoibaan has drawn attention to the previous incident and the handling of it by the Maldives Police Service. Many are questioning the fairness of the treatment he received during the previous arrest and whether it contributed to his continued involvement in illegal activities. Thoibaan's arrest for suspected drug dealing and selling alcohol also highlights the Maldives' ongoing battle against drug trafficking and other illegal activities.

As of the time of writing, no further information has been released regarding Thoibaan's case or any possible legal proceedings.