Police arrest taxi driver involved in Telegram prostitution racket

Police have arrested the driver of a taxi used to facilitate a prostitution racket run via a Telegram channel.

A police spokesperson confirmed the authorities arrested a 60-year-old Maldivian male in connection to the case on March 30.

His remand was later extended after an initial remand period of 15 days, said the spokesperson.

In a press conference on March 17, the police said they were investigating Telegram channels used for criminal transactions including prostitution and drug trafficking. According to the police, the channels had over 7,000 followers.

The police had made two arrests in connection to the channels – which the police said had been run since April last year.

The police added they found a designated taxi was used to carry the suspects involved in prostitution.