The state has appealed to the High Court against the release of a suspect accused of attempting to smuggle narcotics into Maafushi Prison using a drone.

Police arrested a native of Kaashidhoo on May 24 on suspicion of attempting to smuggle more than 395 grams of drugs into Maafushi Prison via a drone.

According to the police, the suspect was arrested and the contraband was seized during a joint special operation conducted by Maafushi Prison, Maafushi Police Station, and Counter Narcotics Intelligence following intelligence reports. However, the Maafushi Magistrate Court subsequently ordered his conditional release.

Following his release by the Maafushi Court, the prosecution appealed the ruling to the High Court. According to the court's schedule, hearings in the case have now commenced.

The case is being heard by a three-judge bench of the High Court, presided over by Judge Fathimath Faruheeza, alongside Judge Hussain Mazeed and Judge Mohamed Shaneez Abdulla.