Expat arrested for illegal dollar sales at VIA

An expatriate has been arrested for conducting illegal dollar sales at the Velana International Airport. 

Police said that they arrested the Bangladeshi national, identified as Rafiqul Islam, yesterday based on intelligence that he was engaging in illegal dollar exchange services near the resort counters at the airport. 

Upon his arrest by Tourist Police yesterday, Police found over MVR 68,000 and USD 1,700, along with other foreign currency, in his possession. 

Police also confirmed that investigations so far has shown that he is living illegally in the country. 

The court has now placed him in remand in custody for 15 days. 

The latest data released by Maldives Immigration shows that over 8000 expatriates have been deported for living illegally in the country.

This includes expatriates residing in the country without valid visas, and those found to have committed various criminal offences.