Maldives Police Service on Tuesday publicized the profiles of the suspects involved in smuggling drugs into Maldives via a foreign boat.
Police had, in a joint operation with the security forces of Sri Lanka and India on October 5, intercepted a boat attempting to smuggle drugs into the country. The Iranian-flagged boat was intercepted approximately 172 miles northwest of Thuraakunu, Haa Alifu Atoll, along with local fishing vessel ‘Hedhey Kuri 7’, with 70kg of heroin.
The estimated street value of the drugs found on the boat reach MR 59.2 million, the police had earlier stated.
Six local men and two Bangladeshi nationals are behind the drug trafficking case, revealed the police.
They are Ali Anwar Mohamed from S Hithadhoo, Ahmed Shakeeb and Adam Misbah from K Dhiffushi, Mohamed Rishfan and Mohamed Inash from L. Gan, and Ali Ahmed and Thuhun from Bangladesh.
According to the information revealed by the police, only two out of the 7 men had prior criminal records.
In addition to the seven men, the crew aboard the Iranian boat were also arrested. All six men on the vessel are Iranian nationals.
The boat was seized 172 miles off Thuraakunu island of Ha atoll in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Maldives on October 7. The Coast Guard was tipped off regarding the boat by the Indian coast guard on October 1.
The police conducted another operation and intercepted an involved local boat, “Hedheykuri-7”.
An Iranian boat was involved in a similar incident in 2014. 24 kg of drugs were found on the vessel involved in the incident.
