Police Arrest 16 Suspects in Foiled Drug Smuggling Attempt 

The Maldives Police Service has confirmed the arrest of 16 suspects following a foiled attempt to smuggle drugs into the country by sea, in an operation carried out shortly before the launch of the nationwide counterdrug campaign, Operation Alimagu.

Operation Alimagu began at 5:30am on last Thursday with the participation of 500 officers. President Dr Mohamed Muizzu announced the commencement of the campaign through a post on social media.

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According to the Police, the arrests were made during a joint operation conducted between 2 and 13 November in the Gaafu Alifu and Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll region. The operation was led by the Drug Enforcement Department, Counter Narcotics Intelligence, and South Police, following intelligence about an attempt to transport a large quantity of drugs into the Maldives by sea.

The 16 suspects arrested include seven men and one woman from Gaafu Alifu Maamendhoo, five men from Gaafu Dhaalu Vaadhoo, and three men from Malé. The men are aged between 27 and 46, while the woman is 24.

Of the 11 suspects presented before the Court, three were remanded for 30 days, six for 15 days, one for 18 days, and one for 10 days.

As part of the operation, Police searched 18 houses, a guesthouse, an office, an uninhabited island, two empty land plots, two cars, and five motorbikes. The preliminary weight of the drugs seized stands at 12 kilogrammes. The case remains under investigation.

Police explained that the operation was carried out ahead of Operation Alimagu due to intelligence suggesting potential disruption to the nationwide campaign and the risk of evidence being destroyed.

Operation Alimagu has been described as the most extensive anti-drug initiative in recent years. Within the first seven hours of its launch, 90 suspects were arrested across the country.