Two expatriates have been arrested in Male' on suspicion of being involved in illegal alcohol sales.

Through a special operation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Department and Counter Narcotics Intelligence unit, Police on Sunday arrested two Bangladeshi men. 

The two have been identified as Rokibul Hassan, 24, and M D Zakir Hosein, 29. 

The two had been stopped by police while they were on a motorcycle. A subsequent search led the police to discover 17 bottles of alcohol in their possession at the time, as well as at their residence. 

The two were then arrested and handed over to Maldives Immigration, Police said, recommending that necessary legal action be taken against them and their deportation be arranged. 

The motorcycle in which the two had been carrying the alcohol bottles has also been towed, Police said. 

There have been several incidents over recent months of expatriates being involved in alcohol and drug trade cases.