The Maldivian police have confirmed that a Sri Lankan fishing vessel intercepted within Maldivian waters contained a large quantity of narcotics.
The vessel, identified as the “Avishka Putha”, illegally entered Maldivian maritime territory and was intercepted on November 7 by coast guard officers of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
Authorities discovered that the trawler was carrying over 355 kilograms of illegal drugs, and five Sri Lankan fishermen aboard were taken into custody.
Under a court warrant, the vessel underwent a special search operation, during which police reportedly found 58.6 kilograms of heroin and 297.3 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (‘Ice’) concealed in 24 compartments.
The seizure was the result of a joint investigation involving the Sri Lanka Navy, the Sri Lanka Police, and the Maldives National Defence Force and Police.
The five arrested fishermen, aged 28, 34, 39, 42, and 63, are all Sri Lankan nationals. This operation is being described as the largest drug seizure ever recorded in Maldivian territorial waters.
Following the advice of the Maldivian Attorney General, arrangements are being made to transfer the arrested fishermen and the seized narcotics back to Sri Lanka. A special team from the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) and the Sri Lanka Navy has already traveled to the Maldives to coordinate further investigations with local authorities.
