Person arrested in relation to discovery of heroin from Indian vessel

A person has been arrested in relation to the discovery of more than 2 kilograms of heroin from a vessel that came to the Maldives from Tuticorin harbour, India.

Police Media Official said today that in relation to the case, a person has been taken into their custody and that the court has extended the person’s detention period by 3 days. Police have however not revealed details of the person arrested.

Superintendent of Customs Ahmed Niyaz told Sun today that the person arrested was the vessel’s captain. He said that the vessel itself and all its crew are still under the Customs’ authority.

“The boat’s captain was handed over to the police on that day itself. The drugs found on boat have also been handed over to the police, along with the man,” Niyaz said.

The vessel, named “MSV Maria Jane Ammai”, came to the Maldives laden with s fruits and vegetables on the 17th of this month. Customs said that all the crewmen onboard were Indians and that upon inspection, a packet suspected of containing the drug heroin weighing 2.195 kilograms was discovered from the vessel.