Airport heist: Police arrest four; find boat used in escape

The police have arrested four suspects they believe to be linked to a heist at the Velana International Airport on Monday, when robbers snatched a suitcase full of money from bank staff.

The crime took place at around 04:45 am.

The police had said that the suitcase was snatched by robbers who had their faces concealed from two bank employees just as they were about to enter the new international passenger terminal at the VIA.

The police did not specify which bank the money belong to, or how much money the suitcase contained.

In a post on X in the afternoon, Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusan announced the police have apprehended four suspects in connection to the police, and have also successfully recovered the speedboat they used to make their escape.

He commended the police for making such quick progress in the case.

“I commend the officers for their swift and effective efforts in advancing the investigation and securing the suspects,” he said.

Following the robbery at Velana International Airport this morning, @PoliceMv has made remarkable progress. They have successfully recovered the speedboat used in the crime and apprehended four suspects. I commend the officers for their swift and effective efforts in advancing…

— Minister of Homeland Security & Technology (@min_mohst) October 27, 2025

Ihusan did not say if the police have recovered the money.

Sun has been informed through credible sources that the suitcase was snatched as it was being taken to the Bank of Maldives (BML) counter at the airport, and contained cash for foreign currency exchange and issuance to travelers.

“I contained around USD 100,000. It also contained cash in other currencies, including Euros,” said a source who spoke to Sun on condition of anonymity.

However, the exact amount of money stolen in the robbery remains unclear.

A source told Sun that the robbers had timed the robbery perfectly to the arrival of the bank staff with the money.

They arrived at the airport in a taxi, and fled on a speedboat.

The BML has declined to comment on the case.

The police have also dodged questions regarding the details of the case, promising to provide an update at a later time.

But they did say that a police escort hadn’t been requested for the money transfer.

The security at the VIA is managed by the Aviation Security Command, a unit run under the Defense Ministry, with assistance from the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) and the police.

But in July, the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) created an Estate Security Department, to manage security at parking areas, jetties, taxi queues, the company’s assets, and the safety and security of the larger Hulhule’.

The MACL has refused to disclose the cost of running the new department.