Two staff members of the Maldives Airports Company Ltd. (MACL) have been detained by the Maldives Police Service (MPS) for their alleged involvement in facilitating the smuggling of over four kilogrammes of illicit substances into the country. The MPS has confirmed that two additional suspects have also been apprehended in connection with the case.
The MACL employees were allegedly involved in aiding the smuggling of a piece of luggage, filled with narcotics, from the main Velana International Airport (VIA) on March 15, in violation of standard procedures. The luggage contained 4.5 kilogrammes of methamphetamine and heroin, according to a police spokesperson.
Additional suspects arrested in connection with the case include a Pakistani national who is believed to have brought the luggage into the country, and another individual who was present at the airport to collect the narcotics. The MPS has declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing investigations.
One of the detained MACL employees, believed to have orchestrated the trafficking operation, was released by the Criminal Court after a remand hearing, according to police. Despite substantial evidence against him, the senior MACL staff was released, a police spokesperson told the media.
The MPS has confirmed to local media that numerous MACL employees are implicated in the case, and a comprehensive investigation is currently underway.