Sri Lankan Authorities Seize Drug Boat Reportedly Traced to Maldivian Waters

A Sri Lankan fishing vessel seized with a large quantity of narcotics has reportedly been traced to Maldivian waters, according to Sri Lankan media reports. 

The multi-day vessel, identified as Seedevi, was intercepted by the Sri Lanka Navy in the island’s western seas after suspicions of drug smuggling emerged. According to NewsFirst, interrogations by Sri Lankan authorities of the boat owner revealed that the boat had entered Maldivian territorial waters before returning to Sri Lanka with a consignment of illicit drugs.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

The outlet reported that 251 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and 85 kilograms of heroin were discovered onboard. Six suspects were taken into custody, and a Colombo court has reportedly allowed their detention for further questioning until 8 November. Sri Lankan authorities arrested six suspects along with the narcotics, with the total value of the seized drugs reportedly estimated at around Rs. 5 billion (MVR 2.5 billion). 

NewsFirst further noted that the vessel’s owner, who denied knowledge of the operation and claimed to have handed control of the boat to his brother-in-law, is among those detained. The report also cited investigators linking the smuggling network to an individual known as “Dinuka,” believed to be based in Dubai.

The Maldives Police Service has said that Sri Lankan authorities have confirmed to them that the drugs found on the seized vessel were not loaded onto it in Maldivian waters. 

The waters around the Maldives are often used for drug-trafficking, as well as to dispose of drugs. The most recent case of Maldivian authorities finding hidden drugs was in 2023, when Maldives police found around 40 kilos of drugs near Faafu Atoll Filitheyo. The police were alerted to the drugs by a fishing boat from Feeali of the same Atoll.