4 barred from travel over BML dollar robbery at airport
All seven suspects are currently in custody pending trial.
Four individuals have been barred from travelling abroad in connection with the investigation into the theft of a Bank of Maldives (BML) dollar briefcase from Velana International Airport (VIA).
The robbery occurred on the morning of 27 October, when masked men stole a briefcase containing foreign currency. Four suspects were arrested on the same day, and three additional arrests were made last week, bringing the total number of detainees to seven.
Police said the investigation remains ongoing, and the stolen money has not yet been recovered.
A police spokesperson told Daur on Monday that:
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Four individuals have been placed under a travel ban;
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Five vehicles have been searched; and
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A total of 20 locations have been searched in connection with the case.
All seven suspects are currently in custody pending trial. Police have released the identities of the arrested individuals but have not disclosed the names of those subject to the travel ban.
According to information obtained by Atoll Times, the stolen briefcase contained more than USD 100,000 — equivalent to over MVR 1.5 million at an exchange rate of USD 15.42.
The police have not yet commented on the progress of efforts to recover the stolen funds.
