Maldives re-arrests drug kingpin and dismisses Parole Board members

Maldivian authorities have re-arrested convicted drug kingpin Abdulla Ibrahim, known as Abucha, and dismissed all six members of the Parole Board following a controversial decision to grant him early release.

Minister of Home Affairs Ali Ihusaan stated that an inquiry revealed the board failed to follow mandatory statutory conditions and required procedures when assessing Ibrahim for conditional release. Following the review, the ministry instructed the board to reconsider, leading to the reversal of the parole decision. Ibrahim, who is accused of leading a major drug trafficking network in Addu City, has been returned to custody to serve the remaining 20 years of his 25-year sentence.

Ibrahim was originally sentenced in May 2023 following a 2020 maritime operation that intercepted a vessel carrying approximately 61 kg of diamorphine and 17.97 kg of methamphetamine racemate. The operation also resulted in the arrest of 17 other suspects.