Police arrest head of alcohol manufacturing network in Thinadhoo City

Police in the Maldives have arrested the alleged head of a network involved in manufacturing and selling alcohol in Thinadhoo City, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. The suspect, identified as Mohamed Afaz bin Abdullah (21), from Rihikoka / Thinadhoo, was taken into custody on Monday during a joint operation conducted by the Thinadhoo Police and the Counter Narcotics Intelligence unit. The operation was carried out under a court order. During a search of a flat linked to the suspect, police discovered equipment used for alcohol production, three 20-litre containers believed to contain alcohol, and a 500ml bottle of a substance suspected to be alcohol. Afaz was produced before the court and remanded for 15 days. Investigations into the case are ongoing.