A man and a woman were arrested over the weekend in a major drug enforcement operation that led to the seizure of more than one kilogram of suspected narcotics and thousands of rufiyaa in alleged drug money, according to Maldives Police Service.
The arrests took place on Saturday during a joint effort carried out by the Drug Enforcement Department and the Counter-Narcotics Intelligence Unit, following credible intelligence about illegal drug activity.
The suspects have been identified as:
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Shifana Abdul Sattar, 38, of H. Reef View Hulhangubai, Malé
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Hassan Nimal, 44, of Ma. Dhagandukendige, Malé
Armed with court-issued search warrants, law enforcement officers conducted coordinated raids on two separate locations: a house in the Machangolhi district of Malé and an apartment in the suburban island of Hulhumalé. The search resulted in the recovery of approximately 1.06 kilograms of narcotics. Authorities have yet to disclose the specific type of drugs found.
In addition to the narcotics, police also confiscated over MVR 7,000 in cash, which is believed to be proceeds from illicit drug sales.
According to officials, the operation was initiated after intelligence reports pointed to the pair’s involvement in the possession, use, and distribution of illegal drugs. The police have confirmed that the case remains under active investigation, with further inquiries underway to determine the extent of the suspects’ involvement and whether more individuals are linked to the case.
The arrest marks one of the more substantial drug seizures in the capital this year and underscores the police’s ongoing crackdown on drug trafficking networks operating within the country.
