Maldivian Coast Guard and Maldives Police Force, on Tuesday, intercepted an Iranian vessel for trafficking drugs in Maldivian waters.
The vessel was intercepted 126 nautical miles west of Baa Atoll and is reported to be extensively involved in drug trafficking across the region.
According to Police, seven of the boat's crew members were apprehended and large amounts of drugs were confiscated from onboard the vessel.
Police stated that efforts to bring the vessel to the Male' region for further investigations are ongoing.
Additionally, police confirmed that further information regarding the operation and the narcotic substances discovered would be released at a later date.
The police also discovered 149 kilograms of narcotic substances buried in an uninhabited island in Ghaaf Dhaalu Atoll during a drug bust on April 29. A total of ten Maldivian men have been arrested in connection to the case.
Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed recently stated that Police operations were increased in response to a surge in drug trafficking via marine routes.
Sincerely appreciate the @MNDF_Official for the swift action taken on our request to intercept a foreign vessel suspected for trafficking narcotics, 126 NMs west of Baa Atoll. The vessel is under our custody with 7 of its crew members. A huge amount of narcotic drugs seized.
— Mohamed Hameed (@M_Hameedh) May 6, 2019
Additionally, he thanked Maldives National Defence Force (MDP) for their swift response to the requests of Police.
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