Maldivian police have officially confirmed that a Sri Lankan fishing vessel detained within Maldivian waters was carrying a large stock of narcotics.
The vessel, Avishka Putha, was intercepted on 7 November by officers of the Maldives National Defence Force Coast Guard after it allegedly entered Maldivian territorial waters illegally.
According to Maldivian police, the vessel contained more than 355 kg of drugs. Five Sri Lankan crew members on board were arrested.
Following a court order, Maldivian authorities conducted a special search of the vessel yesterday (10). The inspection uncovered 58.6 kg of heroin and 297.3 kg of methamphetamine concealed inside 24 fish.
The joint operation was carried out by the Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Police, the Maldives National Defence Force and Maldivian Police.
The arrested fishermen are Sri Lankan nationals aged 39, 42, 28, 34 and 63. Maldivian authorities say this seizure is the largest narcotics detection ever recorded in Maldivian territorial waters.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan police stated that arrangements are underway—on the advice of the Maldivian Attorney General—to bring the suspects and the drug haul back to Sri Lanka. A team from the Police Narcotics Bureau and a special Navy unit has already travelled to the Maldives to begin coordinated investigations with Maldivian security agencies.
