Bangladeshi Man Arrested with 18 Bottles of Alcohol to be Deported

A Bangladeshi national found with 18 bottles of alcohol in his home has been handed over to the Maldives Immigration Service to be deported.

“Sarukaaru,” the government publication, posted the police searched Sofiqul Islam, 44, on the streets of Male’ for suspected alcohol possession last Wednesday. In the subsequent search of his residence, officers found 18 bottles of alcohol.

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Sofiqul was searched by a joint operation by the Counter Narcotics Intelligence and Drug Enforcement Unit.

Authorities have handed Sofiqul over to the Maldives Immigration Service for deportation. Under current regulations, foreigners found in possession of drugs or alcohol can be deported within 24 hours.

In his presidential address at the first sitting of this year’s parliamentary session, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu identified drug abuse as a major obstacle to the country’s economic growth. He announced that the government will now take action to arrest and deport foreigners who consume, transport, or sell drugs and alcohol illegally, as well as those involved in selling firecrackers.