A foreigner was apprehended while attempting to board a Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) bus in Malé with bottles of liquor concealed in a bag.
According to a witness, an Indian man was boarding the bus when MTCC employees onboard became suspicious and requested him to open the bag.
Initially, the man had objected, but when he partially opened the bag, the staff saw the bottles inside after which he attempted to escape by throwing the bag and fleeing, the witness said.
"Then the bus conductor pursued the man and managed to stop him," he said.
The man was caught and turned over to the police.
A 43-year-old foreign national was arrested near the Maafannu bus terminal on Thursday night, September 21, in connection with a liquor-related case. Following a search, the police discovered 26 bottles suspected to contain liquor in his possession.
The man was remanded in custody for 15 days by the Criminal Court yesterday.