Major crime network operating via Telegram brought down with two arrests

Maldives Police Service states they have brought down a major crime network, encouraging various crimes, operating via Telegram channels following investigations that saw two arrests.

Police, in a statement, said they investigated the following Telegram channels; ‘Jazeera Admin’, ‘Jazeera Girls’ and ‘Jazeera Link Khabar’.

As per the Police, the channels have been in operation since April of last year. They have made two arrests following their investigation; a 28-year-old Maldivian man and a 39-year-old Maldivian woman.

Both arrestees are suspect of:

• Money laundering
• Drug trafficking
• Prostitution
• Encoring prostitution
• Production and distribution of pornography

Police detailed that their financial transactions contained amounts that were inequivalent to earnings from their jobs.

The two were arrested after the police searched four places and seized items related to the case. Police said efforts were ongoing to obtain evidence from the seized items.

Both suspects have been remanded in custody for 30 days.

The new administration is undertaking various efforts to stop such channels and sites that are linked to crimes – an initiative that has been allocated special priority.