Maldives Seizes Sri Lankan Vessel Carrying Nearly Half a Tonne of Drugs
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has seized a Sri Lankan fishing vessel operating illegally in Maldivian waters, recovering 468.6 kilograms of illicit drugs in an operation.
The MNDF intercepted the vessel near Makunudhoo in the early hours of 23 November, around 12:45 am. It was escorted to Kulhudhuffushi City, where a detailed search was conducted the following morning by the MNDF Coast Guard in collaboration with Kulhudhuffushi City Police.
advertisement
ގަވާއިދާ ހިލާފަށް ރާއްޖެ ސަރަހައްދަށް ވަދެ އުޅުނު މަސްބޯޓަކުން ބިލިއަނެއްހާ ރުފިޔާގެ މައްސަތުވާތަކެތި އަތުލައިގެންފި https://t.co/h7BdUPgVYT— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) November 25, 2024
Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau confirmed that the haul included 344 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and 124.6 kilograms of cocaine. The operation, initiated based on a tip-off, underscores the effectiveness of coordinated action in addressing drug trafficking in the region.
“This was a successful collaborative effort between various agencies to prevent the entry of drugs into the Maldives,” Commissioner Shujau stated.
Five Sri Lankan nationals, who were aboard the vessel, have been taken into custody. Authorities are conducting further investigations into the case.
މިއަދުގެ ވަގުތެއްގައި ރާއްޖޭގެ ސަލާމަތީ ޚިދުމަތްތަކުންވަނީ 468.6 ކިލޯގްރާމުގެ މަސްތުވާތަކެތި ރާއްޖޭގެ ކަނޑުގެ ސަރަހައްދުން އަތުލައިގެންފައި. މިތަކެތީގެ މަގުމަތީ އަގަކީ ގާތްގަނޑަކަށް އެއް ބިލިއަން ދިވެހި ރުފިޔާ. ދިވެހިރާއްޖެ މަސްތުވާތަކެތިން އެއްކޮށް ސަލާމަތްކުރުމަކީ އަޅުގަނޑުމެން… pic.twitter.com/hL8Oz2tg9u— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) November 24, 2024
The seizure highlights the ongoing challenge of combating drug smuggling through maritime routes, with officials reaffirming their commitment to safeguarding Maldivian waters.
