Maldives Coast Guard detain Sri Lankan boat with drugs worth over LKR 18 billion
MALÉ/COLOMBO – Law enforcement authorities in the Maldives on Sunday (24) seized over 400 kilograms of drugs from a Sri Lankan fishing vessel intercepted in Maldivian waters.
The operation was carried out by the Maldives Coast Guard and police on Saturday (23) night.
At a press conference, Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau stated that 468.6 kilograms of drugs were discovered on the vessel during a search conducted on Sunday. The boat was apprehended near HDh. Makunudhoo on Saturday night and escorted to HDh—Kulhudhuffushi for further investigation.
The contraband included 344 kilograms of methamphetamine and 124.6 kilograms of cocaine. The estimated street value of the seized substances is approximately MVR 1 billion (LKR18.8 billion).
Shujau revealed that the fishing vessel, identified as Ashen Putha, was crewed by five individuals, all Sri Lankan nationals. He added that no links between the suspects and any groups in Sri Lanka have been confirmed at this investigation stage.
The case remains under investigation, and additional details are yet to be disclosed.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Navy, in a statement issued on Sunday, said the seizing of the fishing trawler with the cache of drugs and the arrest of five individuals was a result of a successful intelligence-sharing operation between the Sri Lanka Navy and the Maldivian Coast Guard.
It said that the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo, established at the Navy Headquarters, was alerted in the early hours of Saturday by the Maldivian Coast Guard’s MRCC regarding the Sri Lankan multi-day fishing trawler Ashen Putha. The trawler had reportedly entered the Maldivian Exclusive Economic Zone, prompting Maldivian authorities to request verification on whether the trawler was experiencing mechanical issues or distress.
The Navy had reviewed its records on the trawler, and based on available intelligence, identified it as being linked to drug trafficking. This information was then shared with the Maldivian Coast Guard to facilitate coordinated action.
The five men taken into custody in the operation have been identified as residents of Dondra and Trincomalee, aged between 21 and 37. The Navy intelligence and the Maldivian intelligence units are jointly investigating whether this narcotic consignment was destined for Sri Lanka or another country in the region, the Navy said.
-atolltimes.mv/ENCL
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