Masked robbers at airport stole over USD 100,000

Last night, masked robbers snatched a cash-filled suitcase from two employees of Bank of Maldives (BML) who had been going in to Terminal 1 at Velana International Airport.   

It has now come to light that the suitcase contained close to USD 130,000 in cash, as reported in Mihaaru News. 

Sources close to the incident revealed that the perpetrators threatened the two staff members with knives. 

The suitcase that was stolen contained dollars meant for issuance to local travelers headed abroad this morning, the source said. 

The thieves threatened the BML staff and stole the suitcase in the walkway between the old terminal and the new Terminal 1, they said. 

Another source shared that as they fled with the suitcase, the thieves had sprayed a liquid in the faces of Aviation Security Command Officers at the scene and threatened them with knives, as well. 

The suspects fled using a speedboat docked at the VIA jetty, according to a source. 

Police said this morning that they received reports at around 4:45am today of two masked robbers stealing a cash-filled suitcase from two employees of a bank at the airport. 

Police later clarified that the BML staff did not use Police security during the transport of these funds. 

No further details regarding the incident have been shared as of yet by either the Police or BML.