Seized Sri Lankan drug boat contained 24 sacks of narcotics weighing 355kg

Authorities have confirmed that the Sri Lankan fishing vessel intercepted in Maldivian waters last week was carrying a substantial cache of narcotics. The vessel, identified as ‘Avishka Putha’ contained 24 sacks of illegal substances with a preliminary total weight of 355.9 kilograms.

The Maldives Police Service (MPS) in a statement issued late Monday revealed that the haul included 58.6 kilograms of suspected heroin and 297.3 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine.

‘Avishka Putha’ was seized on 7 November 2025, within the Maldives’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), following a joint operation supported by Sri Lankan intelligence.

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Coast Guard intercepted the vessel after it was found to have entered Maldivian territorial waters without authorization, in clear violation of national maritime laws.

Following the interception, MNDF handed the vessel and its five-member crew over to the police institution on 9 November 2025. All five crew members, Sri Lankan nationals aged 28, 34, 39, 42, and 63 respectively, have been taken into custody in connection with the case.

The operation underscores growing regional cooperation on maritime law enforcement and counter-narcotics efforts. The police institution has confirmed that the investigation is being conducted jointly with the MNDF, the Sri Lankan Navy, and the Sri Lankan Police.

The scale of the seizure once again highlights the persistent threat of international drug trafficking networks operating across the Indian Ocean, exploiting fishing vessels and maritime routes to move large quantities of narcotics between countries.