Maldives Police Service revealed on Tuesday that all the Maldivians arrested in the drug bust, where an Iranian boat was seized in Maldivian EEZ with 70 kilograms of illegal narcotics last October, was released except one.
Spokesperson for Police confirmed that only one local was currently in custody.
A total of five Maldivians, six Iranians and two Bangladeshis were arrested in the drug trafficking case, out of which three were leading the operation.
Police formerly revealed that this drug trafficking incident was led by Ali Anwar from Hithadhoo, Addu Atoll, aged 35, Ahmed Shakeeb from Dhiffushi, Kaafu Atoll, aged 42 and Mohamed Rishfan from Gan, Laamu Atoll, aged 23.
Out of the three, Ali Anwar has a criminal record for theft.
Additionally, Police revealed information on the captain and crew of the local vessel that was seized near the Iranian boat. Adam Misbah from Dhiffushi, Kaafu Atoll, aged 39 and Mohamed Inash from Gan, Laamu Atoll, aged 22 were arrested aboard "Heydhakuri" in addition to two Bangladeshi expatriates named Ali Ahmed and Thuhun aged 24 and 36, respectively.
Fakeer aged 50, Ismail Ibrahim aged 50, Saajid aged 50 Navid aged 30, Easa Sulaiman aged 26 and Ali Raja aged 19 were aboard the Iranian vessel.
A team from Interpol is aiding Police in the drug trafficking investigation.
The Iranian boat along with the Maldivian vessel was seized in a joint operation conducted by Sri Lankan and Maldivian Coast Guard with Police on October 5.
Police formerly revealed that three sacks of drugs were uncovered aboard the Iranian boat containing 70 packets of illegal narcotics weighing 70 kilograms.
Although Police have yet to reveal the nature of the drugs, Commissioner of Police (CP) Mohamed Hameed stated that the street value of the drugs seized in the operation adds up to MVR 59.2 million.
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