A safari vessel has been forced to leave the lagoon of Alifu Alifu atoll Ukulhas following allegations of selling liquor to the island community.
A group of citizens in Ukulhas protested last week over the alleged sale of liquor by the safari since it docked. The locals claimed that the island council had ignored their request to address the issue.
A local from the island, speaking with Mihaaru News, said that the owner of the safari removed the vessel from the island's bay on Monday, May 15th, after the news was published in local medias.
The vessel docked in Ukulhas after it was granted permission to remain inside the lagoon to undergo repairs.
Following protests by locals who alleged that the vessel was engaged in unlawful activities, and after submitting a complaint to the Ukulhas Island Council, the island's magistrate court ordered the vessel to be removed from Ukulhas within 24 hours.
Reports suggest that the vessel faced delays in disembarking due to bad weather conditions. However, the period during which the vessel was required to be removed from Ukulhas did not include the hours for which weather alerts were issued by the Maldives Meteorological Service (MET). In total, the center issued six weather alerts within the 24-hour period after the magistrate court issued the order.
After receiving several reports of alleged liquor selling from the safari, the Maldives Police Service boarded the vessel for inspection but did not discover any alcoholic beverages or substances.
While guesthouses are allowed to operate in local islands, the sale of liquor is prohibited in such areas.
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