Expatriates detained, being deported over liquor dealing

Police have arrested three expatriates in Male' on charges of illegally manufacturing, possessing and selling liquor.

The arrests were made yesterday in a joint operation by Counter Narcotics Intelligence and the Drug Enforcement Department.

The suspects; identified as Mohamed Badal, 52, Sabbir Hossain, 33, both from Bangladesh, and Raj Das, 20, from India have since been handed over to Maldives Immigration for deportation.

Police said nine bottles of liquor, six five-litre bottles, 78 half-litre bottles and 22 other containers were seized during raids on three apartments in Male'. Officers also recovered more than MVR 29,000 and USD 100 in cash.