Six Bangladeshi Nationals Detained with MVR 3.86m in Foreign Currency at Velana Airport
Photos shared by the police shows that the currency was packed in what appears to be empty instant coffee packets.
Six Bangladeshi nationals have been taken into police custody after authorities seized foreign currency worth approximately MVR 3.86 million from them at Velana International Airport.
The Maldives Police Service said the operation was conducted yesterday, as part of an ongoing taskforce investigation into individuals suspected of involvement in unauthorised foreign currency trading.
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Police intercepted the six nationals as they were preparing to depart the Maldives for Bangladesh. Currency from 18 countries was seized for further investigation, including USD 174,161, EUR 56,760 and GBP (Great Britain Pound) 1,815.
Police valued the seized foreign currency at approximately MVR 3,861,415.29.
The six individuals remain in police custody while investigators examine the circumstances surrounding the foreign currency and determine whether further legal action is warranted.
The operation comes amid an intensified government crackdown on unauthorised foreign exchange trading, particularly alleged black-market dollar transactions.
Earlier this month, police and Immigration established a dedicated taskforce to investigate such activities and called on the public to provide information. The taskforce had received 65 reports by September 9, with information relating to 27 foreign nationals, 18 locations, four businesses and 16 online platforms allegedly linked to unauthorised foreign exchange activity.
Police have also made several arrests and detentions in recent weeks. Two Bangladeshi nationals were arrested earlier this month over allegations of conducting unauthorised foreign currency exchanges at inflated rates.
Separately, Homeland Security, Labour and Technology Minister Ali Ihusan said on Monday that authorities were investigating 12 foreign nationals over alleged involvement in unlicensed US dollar trading, with nine placed in immigration detention at the time.
