Police IO suspended over corruption in sea cucumber case

Police have confirmed that a Police Investigation Officer has been suspended on corruption charges tied to sea cucumbers worth MVR 2 million stored in a Thilafushi warehouse. 

While a criminal investigation into the case submitted to Police last December is proceeding, Police's Professional Standards Command is also investigating an administrative case against the involved officer, Police said. 

Reports indicate that the sea cucumbers belong to a Chinese national, and a Police officer and an MPL staff are suspected of corruption involving these goods while it was being stored in a Thilafushi warehouse. Police are investigating the matter. 

The two suspects are accused of deceiving the owner and relocating the goods on December 29 through fraudulent means. Police stated that the sea cucumbers were moved from Thilafushi and stored in two residences. Both residences were searched under a court order, and the sea cucumbers have since being seized. 

Under the advice of the Prosecutor General's Office, Police have now announced that the seized cucumbers will be auctioned off. 

Police said that the accused submitted a case to the Criminal Court on January 26 seeking to reclaim the seized goods.

However, the Court found no legal grounds preventing the goods from remaining in police custody and therefore declined to issue the requested order, Police said.