Police probe into MVR 400M Customs corruption case remains ongoing

The police investigation into a major corruption case involving around MVR 400 million in suspicious money transfers to the bank accounts of nearly a dozen Customs officers remains ongoing nearly two years on, according to a report by the Parliament’s Security Services Committee.

The report, publicized by the committee on Sunday night, highlights on a police investigation into suspicious money transfers to the bank accounts of Customs officers dating back four years.

According to the committee report, on December 16, 2023, the police notified Customs that it was investigating 21 officers from the agency over MVR 400 million in suspicious bank transfers.

And on August 19, 2024, the police notified Customs that two more officers were implicated, raising the total number of officers implicated in the case to 23.

Customs told the committee that the officers in question had been suspended, and that an internal investigation for violation of code of conduct and ethics was facing delays, but would wrap up by the end of July.

Meanwhile, the police told the committee that the criminal investigation into the case remains ongoing.

The police acknowledged delays in the investigation, but attributed this to the sheer number of officers implicated in the case.

The police said they have seized electronic devices linked to the suspects, and are collecting evidence.

The police also said they have yet to finish taking statements of all persons of interest in the case.

The Maldives Police Service reported that they are unable to provide a time for when they will be able to conclude the investigation, reads the report.

The police had launched a similar investigation into another uniformed body, the Maldives Correctional Service. The police investigated 18 prison guards for allegedly taking over MVR 70 million in bribes to smuggle drugs and other contrabands into the Maafushi Prison. However, only five out of the 18 original suspects were charged in the case.