Nineteen arrested in uninhabited island with drugs, alcohol

Nineteen people have been arrested with drugs and alcohol in Radhdhiggaa, an uninhabited island in Alifu Dhaalu atoll.

Police said that the nineteen people were Maldivian men aged between 18 and 27.

They were arrested at around 1:30 a.m. during an operation by Mahibadhoo Police Station, after the station received a report suggesting that a group of people were gathered and using drugs on this island.

Police found the drugs and the alcohol when the island was searched under a search warrant issued by the court, after the suspects were taken into custody.

Police said that they found three bullet-sized packets containing a substance believed to be drugs, eight packets containing a substance believed to be drugs, a cigar containing a substance believed to be drugs, tobacco containing a substance believed to be drugs, two bottles of opened alcohol, and seven bottles of unopened alcohol.

Out of the nineteen people, fifteen have tested positive for drugs, said police.

Police said that three suspects have been given fifteen days of detention by Mahibadhoo Court, while thirteen suspects have been given ten days and the three remaining suspects five days.

The case is under investigation by Mahibadhoo Police Station.