A Maldivian national has been arrested on suspicion of leading a large-scale alcohol distribution network in Malé.
Police identified the suspect as Mohamed Rashwan Abbas, 53, of H. Karoge, Malé. He was taken into custody under a court order on October 13 following a raid on a residence in the Henveiru ward. The court remanded him for 15 days.
According to police, two of three previously arrested expatriates are employees of Rashwan who confessed to selling alcohol under his instructions. In court, Rashwan denied the allegations, arguing the search occurred without his presence or a representative.
The three Bangladeshi nationals arrested are Al-Amin, 34; Polin, 43; and MD Rakib Hossain, 25. Al-Amin and Polin were remanded for five days; Rakib for 15 days.
A total of 826 bottles of alcohol were seized by the Police Counter-Narcotics Intelligence and Drug Enforcement Department. Bottles were stored openly, some in labelled boxes.
Alcohol is illegal in the Maldives except in tourist resorts.