Five Arrested for Illicit Alcohol Trade on Safari in Hulhumale'

Five individuals, including one Maldivian and four expatriates, have been arrested for allegedly selling alcohol without permission on a safari boat docked at Hulhumale' lagoon. The arrests were made during an operation conducted by the Maldives Police Service’s Counter Narcotics Intelligence unit based on a tip-off. The suspects have been identified as 35-year-old Bangladeshi national Russel Mia, 34-year-old Indian national MD Shekar Hossain, 27-year-old Sri Lankan national Pubudu Asela Bandara Dolosba Gedara, 35-year-old Sri Lankan national Tharaka Saman Kumaradeva, and 52-year-old Maldivian national Mohamed Manil from H. Binmathiaage. During the search, authorities discovered 102 bottles of alcohol and 218 beer cans. The suspects were presented before the court, and the Maldivian national was remanded in custody for three days, while the Bangladeshi and Indian nationals were remanded for five days, and the Sri Lankan nationals for seven days. The government has intensified efforts to curb illegal business activities by expatriates, including regular raids on suspected establishments. The administration aims to address the long-standing issue of undocumented migrants within its first three years in office.