MNDF Intercepts Foreign Fishing Boat Operating Illegally in Maldivian Waters

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Air Corps has intercepted a foreign fishing vessel operating unlawfully within Maldivian waters.

According to the MNDF, the vessel was seized during a surveillance operation in the Maldives’ Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The operation utilised an Air Corps drone to locate the boat, which was subsequently detained by the Coast Guard.

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ރާއްޖޭގެ ޚާއްޞަ އިޤްތިޞާދީ ސަރަހައްދު ބެލެހެއްޓުމަށް ހިންގި އޮޕަރޭޝަނެއްގައި، ޤާނޫނާ ޚިލާފަށް ޚާއްޞަ އިޤްތިޞާދީ ސަރަހައްދުގައި ހަރަކާތްތެރިވަމުންދިޔަ ބޭރުގެ މަސް ބޯޓެއް، އެމްއެންޑީއެފް އެއަރ ކޯރ ޑްރޯން ގެ އެހީގައި ލޮކޭޓް ކުރުމަށްފަހު ކޯސްޓްގާޑްގެ ބެލުމުގެ ދަށަށްވަނީ ގެނެވިފަ. pic.twitter.com/LYbt8o6Kj1— Maldives National Defence Force (@MNDF_Official) December 26, 2024

This incident comes shortly after a separate case on Monday, where a foreign dinghy was found operating illegally in the same waters. That vessel was handed over to the Maldives Police Service (MPS) for further investigation.

The MNDF has emphasised its commitment to safeguarding the nation’s maritime resources and maintaining security within its territorial waters.