Resort worker and Funadhoo resident arrested in separate drug cases in Shaviyani atoll

A man who was using his phone while riding a motorcycle in Shaviyani atoll Funadhoo fled at high speed when police attempted to stop him, dropping his phone in the process, which was later found to contain suspected drugs.

Police said on Tuesday that two men were arrested in separate drug-related operations in Shaviyani atoll on Monday.

One of the suspects, a 27‑year‑old man, was arrested on the streets of Funadhoo. According to police, officers saw him using a mobile phone while riding a motorcycle and ordered him to stop. He instead accelerated and attempted to escape. During the chase, his phone fell onto the road.

Police searched the phone and the area where it fell, recovering seven cellophane packets containing suspected drugs.

The second arrest was made at a resort in the atoll following a tip‑off that drugs were being possessed, used and traded on the property. A 40‑year‑old man was taken into custody, and two rubber packets containing suspected drugs were recovered from him, police said.

Both suspects were taken before court and remanded in custody for 10 days.

Police said investigations into both cases are ongoing.

Drug offences remain one of the Maldives’ biggest social challenges, with 1,989 cases reported so far this year, the third‑highest category of cases recorded by police.