November 09, Colombo (LNW): In a major maritime operation, the Maldivian Coast Guard has apprehended six Sri Lankan fishermen aboard a vessel allegedly transporting a large quantity of narcotics, including nearly 300 kilogrammes of heroin and crystal methamphetamine.
Authorities confirmed that the interception took place following a joint intelligence-sharing effort, with crucial information provided by the Sri Lanka Navy leading to the successful seizure.
The vessel was reportedly operating in international waters when it was tracked and stopped by Maldivian naval units.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the illicit cargo may be connected to a well-known Sri Lankan drug trafficker identified by the alias “Dehibale Malli,” who is believed to have links to several transnational smuggling operations in the Indian Ocean region.
Security officials in both countries are said to be coordinating further inquiries to uncover the broader network behind the shipment, which is suspected to be part of a larger trafficking route spanning from South Asia to the Maldives.
The detained crew and the confiscated narcotics have been handed over to Maldivian law enforcement authorities for further questioning, while regional naval forces have reportedly heightened surveillance to prevent similar smuggling attempts in the coming weeks.
