355kg of heroin and meth seized from Sri Lankan vessel in Maldives

Maldivian authorities have seized 355.9 kilograms of suspected heroin and methamphetamine from a Sri Lankan vessel that illegally entered the country’s waters last Friday.

According to Maldives Police Service, the vessel, named “Avishka Putha”, was intercepted after entering Maldivian territory without permission. The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) conducted the initial operation, using drone surveillance to detect and track the ship before handing it over to police on Sunday.

A court-authorized search of the vessel on Monday uncovered 24 bags of suspected narcotics, with a provisional breakdown of 58.6 kg of heroin and 297.3 kg of methamphetamine, police said.

Five Sri Lankan nationals, men aged 39, 42, 28, 34, and 63, have been arrested in connection with the case. The investigation is being conducted jointly by Maldives Police Service, MNDF, the Sri Lankan Navy, and Sri Lankan Police.

The MNDF confirmed that the vessel was intercepted by its Coast Guard Special Boat Squadron, following aerial surveillance by the Air Corps UAV unit. The operation is part of a broader effort to monitor and prevent illegal maritime activity in Maldivian waters.

Authorities have not yet disclosed whether the suspects are linked to a larger trafficking network.