The Criminal Court has today sentenced a man to a fine of MVR 12,000 for attempting to smuggle a large amount of foreign currency out of the Maldives.

The person fined in this case is Abdur Ragub Nisthar Haleem, an Indian national.

In the state's charge against him, it was stated that on September 2 last year, when Abdur Ragub Nisthar Haleem was about to depart for Sri Lanka by air, a large amount of foreign currency was found in his possession.

According to the charge, envelopes found on him contained 104,977 US dollars, 31,585 euros, 180 Swiss francs, and 100 dirhams. Additionally, 32,395 US dollars and 18,790 euros were found in his bag.

The state charged him with attempting to secretly export goods from the Maldives.

Abdur Ragub Nisthar Haleem pleaded guilty to this charge and entered into a plea agreement with the state. According to this agreement, the punishment for Abdur Ragub Nisthar Haleem in this case would be a fine of MVR 12,000.

The basic punishment for this offense is a fine between MVR 10,000 and MVR 200,000 rufiyaa or imprisonment for less than 12 months.

The judge presiding over the case deemed the plea agreement between the defendant and the state valid and sentenced Abdur Ragub Nisthar Haleem to a fine of MVR 12,000 rufiyaa. The judge also ordered that the currency found in his possession be confiscated by the Maldives Customs Service.

This case was presided over by Judge Hussain Faiz Rasheed.