Three Chinese Nationals Remanded for Tampering with Export Containers

Maldives Police Service arrested three Chinese men on 17 October after they allegedly broke customs seals on export-bound containers packed with scrap metal in Hulhumalé Phase 3 to extract the contents inside.

The suspects, aged 26, 40, and 55, were presented before the Criminal Court following their arrest, where a judge ordered all three individuals to be remanded in custody for 15 days pending further investigation.

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According to authorities, the incident was reported after the trio allegedly tampered with three containers that had already been loaded with scrap metal, sealed by Maldives Customs, and prepared for shipment abroad. Officers accused the men of breaking the security seals, opening the containers, and attempting to remove the cargo inside.

During their respective remand hearings, all three suspects denied the allegations. However, the court deemed the arrests lawful and substantiated by initial evidence, including on-site police incident reports and a statement from an HDC community officer. Citing public safety concerns under criminal procedure regulations, the court mandated their continued 15-day detention.

The Maldives Police Service confirmed that investigations into the case remain ongoing.