Police uncover liquor‑brewing operation in Male’; two Indian nationals arrested

Two foreign nationals have been arrested for cooking and selling liquor inside a rented house in Male’ City.

Police said the arrests were made during a joint operation conducted by Counter Narcotics Intelligence and the Drug Enforcement Department.

The suspects, Indian nationals Mohandas Rajendran, 22, and Balasubramanian Selam, 41, were taken into custody during a search of the residence on Thursday. According to police, officers found liquor, brewing equipment and containers of alcohol across three floors of the house, which had been rented by the suspects.

Both men have been handed over to Immigration for deportation. Police said the case remains under investigation.

Authorities note that cases involving foreigners engaged in criminal activity, including the sale of liquor, remain a recurring issue in the Maldives.

Just last week, police raided two apartments in Male’ and arrested three foreign men for possession of liquor and drugs. Officers recovered 12 bottles of 500 ml liquor, three five‑liter bottles, and 12 taps of suspected liquor from the premises. They also seized a cellophane bag containing suspected drugs, a rubber packet, and equipment used to brew alcohol.

The suspects, Tino Ganesan, 27, Arjun Kuppan, 25, and Anish Pushpakaran, 33, all Indian nationals, were also handed over to Immigration for deportation. Police are continuing investigations into the case.

The government has said it is working to address issues related to illegal immigrants, including efforts to collect data on all foreigners living in the Maldives and to locate and deport those residing unlawfully.