Police have completed their investigation into four Maldivian men, including three local film industry figures, arrested during an anti-narcotics operation in Villimalé and have forwarded the case file to the Prosecutor General’s Office.
Three suspects have been released, with the fourth expected to be released pending any further court orders. A police spokesperson said the investigation was complete and sent to the PG, adding that releases followed completion of inquiries.
The arrests took place on 8 October during a targeted sweep in which officers searched the suspects and related premises. Those identified were Shahil Mohamed (42), Mohamed Vishal (29), Ismail Jumaih (35) and Ahmed Azmeel (44).
The operation forms part of a wider nationwide crackdown on drug distribution networks. Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology Ali Ihusaan has disclosed that authorities have seized over 1.33 tonnes of illicit drugs valued at MVR 1.4 billion under the current administration. Police have conducted more than 500 targeted operations and are investigating 23 money-laundering cases linked to trafficking.
The completion of the Villimalé probe marks another step in ongoing enforcement efforts against narcotics networks.