Two expatriates have been arrested in connection with the large-scale possession and trafficking of liquor in Male', police said.

Police arrested 44-year-old Indian national Perumal Mayawan and 35-year-old Sri Lankan national Thuwan Rislin Falil on charges of illegal possession and trafficking of liquor, as well as drug use.

The two men were arrested during a joint operation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Department and Counter Narcotics Intelligence on Thursday, police said.

During a search of a house in Male', police recovered 1,677 bottles of 500ml liquor, 23 five-litre bottles and two rubber packets containing suspected drugs.

Following the completion of the police proceedings, the two men were handed over to the relevant authorities for action under the Immigration Act, police said.