Three Expats Arrested in Male’ in Liquor and Drug Raid
Three expatriates arrested in Male’ after police seize liquor | Photo: MPS
Three expatriates have been arrested in Male’ following a police raid on two apartments where liquor, drugs and equipment used to brew alcohol were recovered.
މާލޭގައި ފުލުހުން ހިންގި އޮޕަރޭޝަނެއްގައި ބަނގުރަލާއި މަސްތުވާތަކެތި ހޯދައި ތިން ބިދޭސީއަކު ހައްޔަރުކޮށްފިhttps://t.co/yPjLQKSPjW pic.twitter.com/fAqCu8Eeb1
— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) December 18, 2025advertisement
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The Drug Enforcement Department carried out the operation after receiving a tip‑off from Counter Narcotics Intelligence. Officers seized 12 bottles of 500 ml liquor, three five‑litre bottles, 12 taps of suspected liquor, a cellophane bag containing suspected drugs, a rubber packet and utensils used for cooking liquor.
The suspects, identified as Indian nationals Tino Ganesan, 27, Arjun Kuppan, 25, and Anish Pushpakaran, 33, have been taken into custody in connection with the case. They have been handed over to Immigration for deportation while investigations continue.
Authorities have noted that expatriates involved in criminal activities, including the illegal manufacture of liquor, remain a recurring issue in the Maldives. Just two weeks ago, police arrested a Bangladeshi man for attempting to conceal 72 bottles of beer.
The government has pledged to tackle irregular immigration. Home Minister Ali Ihusaan recently stated that biometric data for 202,000 expatriates has been collected under Operation Kurangi, and 9,697 expatriates have been deported over the past two years.
