11 arrested for trafficking in anti-narcotics operations by DOD

11 Maldivian citizens have been arrested for drug trafficking from Male’ City in an anti-narcotics operation run by Maldives Police Service.

MPS reports the 11 suspects range from 17 years to 33 years of age. They include nine males, one 20-year-old female, and a minor.

The operations were coordinated efforts based on intel of smuggling and trafficking operations.

The first two suspects – a 24-year-old male and a 33-year-old male were arrested during a raid on a house located in the Maafannu district of Male’ City on February 20. The police, during the raid, confiscated two plastic packets containing what is to believe to be a narcotic substance.

The Criminal Court remanded the 33-year-old to 10 days in custody and the 24-year-old to one day in custody at a detention facility determined by Ministry of Home Affairs.

The police conducted a raid on an additional house in the Maafannu district of Male’ City on February 20 and arrested seven suspects – including a 20-year-old female and a minor. The police, during the raid, confiscated an emptied film canister, two rubber packets, two plastic packets and 24 cellophane packages believed to contain narcotic substances.

Criminal Court remanded the minor to seven days in custody; the 20-year-old female to nine days in custody; a 23-year-old male, a 28-year-old male and a 33-year-old male to 12 days in custody; and a 20-year-old male and a 23-year-old male to 12 days in custody at a detention facility determined by Ministry of Home Affairs.

The last raid took place at a house located in the Galolhu district of Male’ City on February 26. The police, during the raid, confiscated 73 rubber packets believed to contain narcotic substances, and arrested two 23-year-old males.

Criminal Court remanded the two suspects to 10 days in custody at a detention facility determined by Ministry of Home Affairs.

MPS reports the three cases are under investigation by the Drug Enforcement Department of MPS.