16 arrested for smuggling drugs via sea

In an operation carried out in Gaafu Alif and Gaafu Dhaalu atolls based on intelligence reports indicating that drugs were being smuggled in via sea, Police have arrested 16 individuals.

Police said that based on these intelligence reports, Drug Enforcement Department, Counter Narcotics Intelligence and South Police had carried out an operation from November 2 to yesterday. 

Through the operation, 16 individuals were arrested, according to Police. These include seven men and a woman arrested in GA. Maamendhoo, five men arrested in GDh. Vaadhoo and three men arrested in Male'. These are men aged between 27 to 45 years, and a 24 year old woman. 

Through the operation, 18 residences, a guesthouse, an office, an uninhabited island and two empty plots of land have been searched. Additionally, two cars and five motorcycles were searched. As of now, Police have found 12kg of drugs. 

When 11 of the arrestees were presented in court for their remand hearings, three were placed in remand in custody for 30 days, six for 15 days, 1 for 18 days and 1 for 10 days. 

In the special 'Operation Alimagu' launched yesterday on instruction from President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, Police arrested 97 individuals by noon on the day. All of these persons were involved in the sale of drugs according to Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusan. 

Police said that the current case, where 16 individuals have been arrested, was also carried out based on information gleaned through 'Operation Alimagu'.