Sea cucumbers worth MVR 2 million to be auctioned, police say
Police said the total weight of the seized items was 1,438 kilograms, including 787.35 kilograms classified as prohibited for export.
Maldives Police Service has decided to auction sea cucumbers valued at MVR 2 million that were recovered following a theft from a warehouse in Thilafushi, after authorities were unable to determine the lawful owner.
Police said the case was filed on 31 December and relates to an incident on 29 December, in which the warehouse owner was allegedly deceived and the sea cucumbers were removed from the premises and transferred to another location.
According to police, investigations found that the items were transported from Thilafushi to Malé and stored in two residential properties in Thilafushi. Following searches conducted under a court order, the sea cucumbers were seized.
Police said the total weight of the seized items was 1,438 kilograms, including 787.35 kilograms classified as prohibited for export. Investigations found that the activity was carried out by individuals who did not hold licences to process sea cucumbers under the Sea Cucumber Fisheries Planning and Management Regulations.
After the seizure, both the complainant and the accused claimed ownership of the items. Police said some of the sea cucumbers held in custody have since deteriorated. Legal advice was sought from the Prosecutor General’s Office on how to proceed.
According to police, the Prosecutor General’s Office advised that property may only be released under the Prosecution Procedure Rules when the rightful owner is known. As ownership remains disputed and has not been established, there is no legal basis to return the items at this stage.
Police said the Prosecutor General’s Office recommended that the sea cucumbers be sold at public auction and that the proceeds be held by police until the conclusion of the investigation or trial. The funds would be released as compensation in accordance with the court’s direction.
The man accused of stealing and storing the sea cucumbers filed a case at the Criminal Court last month seeking the return of the items. However, the court ruled that there was no legal impediment to retaining the items in police custody until investigations are completed or a judicial determination is made, and declined to order their release.
