The Maldives Police Service announced the arrest of two individuals in Fuvahmulah City on Tuesday, suspected of being involved in significant drug sales and money laundering activities.

The suspects, identified as 34-year-old Ahmed Niushadh of Karanka Villa, Dhoodigan, and 29-year-old Hassan Azim of Zamaaneege, Dhoodigan, were apprehended following a tip-off from Police Intelligence. The arrests are part of an ongoing investigation into a criminal network suspected of running large-scale illicit operations.

Investigations reveal that Niushadh's bank account facilitated transactions worth over MVR 21 million over the past five years, while Azim's account was used for transactions amounting to over MVR 7 million in the last two years. The police have also seized the bank accounts of 21 individuals and two companies in connection with the case, as part of a money laundering investigation.

The arrests are part of "Operation Veshi Rakkal," a counter-narcotics operation launched by the Police on January 14th in Fuvahmulah. So far, the operation has led to searches at 4,048 locations, 1,147 people being stopped and searched, and the arrest of 85 suspects. Investigations into 75 of these cases have been completed, with 65 forwarded to the Prosecutor General’s Office.

Police have expressed gratitude to local authorities and Fuvahmulah residents for their cooperation in this operation.