Sri Lankan crew of illegal drug vessel to remain in custody pending trial

The Criminal Court on Tuesday ordered the remand of five Sri Lankan men arrested aboard a vessel carrying a massive haul of suspected narcotics.

The suspects, aged 39, 42, 28, 34, and 63, will remain in custody pending trial.

The vessel, named Avishka Putha, was intercepted by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Coast Guard Special Boat Squadron on November 7, after it entered Maldivian waters without authorization. The MNDF used drone surveillance to track the ship before handing it over to police on Sunday.

A court-authorized search of the vessel on Monday uncovered 24 sacks of suspected drugs, with a provisional total of 355.9 kilograms. This includes:

• 58.6 kg of suspected heroin

• 297.3 kg of suspected methamphetamine

The Criminal Court’s remand order described the case as part of a large-scale organized crime network, though authorities have not yet confirmed whether the suspects are linked to a broader trafficking ring.

The investigation is being conducted jointly by the Maldives Police Service, MNDF, Sri Lankan Navy, and Sri Lankan Police, as part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal maritime activity and transnational drug trafficking.