Customs to utilize drones to monitor foreign vessels entering Maldives’ territory

The Maldives Customs Service has been gifted two drones which will be utilized to monitor foreign vessels entering Maldives’ territory.

This was revealed by the Commissioner General of Customs, Yoosuf Maniu Mohamed while speaking at the People’s Majlis Committee on National Security Services or the 241 committee.

Maniu revealed that an 85-foot vessel will be received from Japan in the near future and that two vessels will be gifted after discussions with the government of China, within the next year.

The Commissioner General of Customs went on to reveal that they are set to receive a drone and a vessel from the government of the United States of America as well.

Noting that the second drone will be gifted from the government of China, Maniu stated that the use of these drones is deemed important for the customs department, presently.

Maniu stressed that there is no way customs could monitor foreign vessels coming into Maldivian territories from outside without physically being present at the location.

He added that the country's jurisdiction has not been well explained in law enforcement and stressed that the control of vessels entering through the border should be under customs.

Maniu noted that this needs to be better clarified by law as well and that they need better resources to independently monitor vessels entering Maldives’ waters.

According to Maniu, the drones will be operated in collaboration with the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Air Corps.

As such, even though the customs service will be receiving the drones, they will be utilized by both customs and MNDF Air Corps.