Officers involved in smuggling phones, drugs into jail, remanded

The officers arrested under accusations of being involved in smuggling drugs and mobile phones into prisons, have been remanded.

The Maldives Police Service (MPS) revealed that they had uncovered a case of smuggling phones and drugs into prison complexes, during a press conference held on Thursday.

Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan, who has been entrusted with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the police institution, stated that efforts were being made to resolve the issue, as phones and drugs are repeatedly being discovered inside prisons.

Ihusaan added that findings so far indicate that 18 correctional employees had unusually large amounts of money deposited in their accounts, with around MVR 24 million deposited to some of their accounts.

Up to MVR 73 million was deposited in the accounts of the 18 employees on multiple occasions.

Several employees of the Maldives Correctional Service have been arrested in connection with the case.

Arrested were nine officers from Maafushi Prison, two officers arrested from Kaashidhoo island of Kaafu atoll and one each from Malé and Utheemu island of Haa Alif atoll.

MPS revealed that two individuals were remanded for a period of five days and the remaining 11 officers were remanded pending the end of their trials.

Speaking at the presser, Ihusaan stated that anyone working in a uniformed institution being sold for money will not be tolerated.

MPS has also given the assurance that the case will be thoroughly probed and the perpetrators would be brought before justice.