Four individuals have been arrested in drug operations conducted across three islands.
The Maldives Police Service (MPS) revealed that they conducted the operations as part of their efforts to curb drug trafficking and smuggling attempts across the island nation, and to crackdown on such networks.
The drug operations were conducted in Rinbudhoo island of Dhaal atoll, Maavah island of Laamu atoll and Villingili island of Gaaf Alif atoll.
Arrested were a 48-year-old, a 28-year-old, a 26-year-old and a 30-year-old, all Maldivian men.
The 48-year-old was arrested during an operation conducted on March 17 in Villingili island, by officers patrolling the roads of the island.
Officers patrolling the island’s roads stopped the man and searched him upon suspicious behavior.
He was found in possession of 27 rubber packets filled with suspected narcotics.
Upon being presented to the Villingili Magistrate Court for his remand hearing, the man was given 15 days in remand.
During the operation conducted in Maavah, the 28-year-old was taken into police custody on March 17.
Officers patrolling the island’s streets searched the man for suspicious behavior and found 11 rubber packets filled with suspected narcotics, on him.
The remaining two suspects were arrested in Rinbudhoo island on March 14.
The 26-year-old was arrested following an intel report received by the island’s police station that drugs were being smuggled and trafficked on the island.
Officers that raided his residence under a court order, found an empty film cannister filled with suspected narcotics, empty beer cans and another can stuffed with suspected drugs as well as equipment used to package drugs.
The operation during which the 30-year-old was arrested also stemmed from an intel report regarding drug smuggling and trafficking attempts.
Officers conducted a raid in his residence under a court order and confiscated an empty film cannister filled with suspected drugs.
Upon being presented to the Rinbudhoo Magistrate Court for their remand hearing, the two suspected were given a five-day remand period.
All four cases are being investigated currently.
