A police officer has been arrested with illicit drugs while attempting to smuggle them into Vandhoo, Thaa Atoll. The Maldives Police Service stated that, based on intelligence received, an operation conducted on the 21st of this month led to the arrest of Mohamed Nawaz (25) from Dhilaasaage, Hirilandhoo, Thaa Atoll. He was apprehended at the harbor area of Vandhoo, Thaa Atoll, during the morning hours of that day. During a search of Mohamed Nawaz and his belongings in connection with this case, five rubber packets containing substances suspected to be illicit drugs were discovered concealed within a shoe he was wearing. Furthermore, a urine test conducted on him yielded a positive result for illicit drugs.
Given that Mohamed Nawaz, who was arrested in this case, is a police officer, he has been immediately suspended from police duty following his arrest. Nawaz completed the 33rd Basic Police Training Course in 2021 and became a qualified police officer in 2022. In connection with this matter, Commissioner of Police Ismail Naveen stated that the strictest legal action would be taken against employees who commit such criminal offenses, and there would be no place within the service for individuals involved in such crimes. The Commissioner of Police further assured that no employee committing such offenses would be accommodated within the service.
The individual arrested in connection with this case has been remanded for 10 days by the court, pending a decision on his detention. The police are currently conducting further investigations into this matter.
