The High Court has ruled that the man accused of smuggling substances into a prison in Maafushi via drone was released unfairly by the Maafushi Magistrate’s Court.

The incident occurred in May of 2026 where a drone was used as an attempt to smuggle narcotics weighing about 395.92 grams into a Maafushi correctional facility.

The police arrested an individual as a suspect linked to the attempt, and the Magistrate’s Court initially remanded the suspect for 8 days, and then later to 9 days on a second remand, however the suspect was released on a conditional release, where the Prosecutor General’s Office appealed this decision on the 30th of July 2026.

It has been reported that the Magistrate’s Court has released the suspect unlawfully, without the legally required reasoning, by the state state prosecutors who supported their statements by arguing the suspect had been in the possession of substances that were trafficking-standard at his residence prior to the attempt, as he had to have in order to make the attempt, alongside the attempt itself with the use of the drone.

They further exclaimed the suspect should have remained in custody, as his release threatens public safety, as well as puts the case at risk of evidence tampering.  

The High Court unanimously found that the Magistrate’s Court failed to consider key statements, and that the lower court’s decision to release the suspect was unlawful and negligent. 

The High Court overturned the release order, and instructed the Prosecutor General’s office to file a new remand request at the Maafushi Magistrate’s Court within two days time.