2 arrested, 17.7kg of drugs seized in GA. atoll operation

Police have arrested two men suspected of involvement in a drug trafficking network in Gaafu Alif Atoll and seized 17.7kg of substances believed to be narcotics.

Police said on Thursday night that the arrests were made during an operation conducted in GA. Maamendhoo on Wednesday by GA. Atoll Police, Counter Narcotics Intelligence and Drug Enforcement.

The operation was carried out as part of efforts under way since July to investigate drug trafficking and smuggling, police said.

Officers searched two homes in Maamendhoo under court warrants as part of an investigation into the suspected smuggling and distribution of drugs.

Police identified the two men arrested as Azhad Naseem, 29, of Fiyaathoshivilla, GA. Maamendhoo, and Rishfan Ramiz, 29, of Roshaneege, GA. Maamendhoo.

Both men are suspected of playing leading roles in the network under investigation, according to police.

The suspects were presented before a court for remand hearings and ordered to be held in custody for five days.

During searches of the two homes, police seized substances with a provisional weight of 17.7kg that are suspected to be narcotics.

Police did not disclose the type of substances seized. Further testing will be required to establish whether the substances are controlled drugs.

Police said searches of other locations linked to the investigation are continuing.