Police arrest alleged leader of Male’ alcohol ring

Mohamed Rashvan Abbas, 53, H. Karoage, K. Male’. (Photo/Maldives Police Service)

The Maldives police on Tuesday arrested a man believed to be the leader of ring involved in large-scale liquor trade in Male’ City.

Earlier this week, the police launched a joint operation by Drug Enforcement and Counter-Narcotics Intelligence which began on Sunday night and continued through Monday morning, targeting a large-scale alcohol distribution network in Male’. During this operation, the police raided Maadhooge, located in the Henveiru district, and seized 824 bottles of alcohol.

Three suspects, all of them Bangladeshi males, were arrested during the operation.

On Tuesday, the police arrested a Maldivian man believed to be the ring leader.

Mohamed Rashvan Abbas, 53, H. Karoage, K. Male’, was presented before a judge at the Criminal Court on Wednesday for his remand hearing. He is accused of the use, possession and distribution of alcohol.

The investigative officer told the court that Rashvan was arrested based on information provided by two individuals who were stopped and questioned on suspicion of being involved in distribution of alcohol.

The police seize a large quantity of alcohol in a raid on H. Maadhooge in Male' on October 12, 2026. (Photo/Maldives Police Service)

According to the investigator, the two said they were employed by Rashvan, and were involved in the alcohol trade on his orders.

The properties from where the alcohol is found were linked to him, added the investigator.

But Rashvan, who attended the court with his lawyer, denied the allegations, and said that neither he nor anyone who could protect his interests were present when the police raided the properties.

He also asked to be release on bail.

However, the court denied his request and remanded him in custody of the police for 15 days.

His detention is set to expire on October 29.

Combined photos of (from L-R) MD Rakib Hossein, 25; Polin, 43; and Al Amin, 34. (Photo/Maldives Police Service)

The three other suspects arrested in the case are MD Rakib Hossein, 25; Polin, 43; Al Ameen, 34. Polin and Al Amin were arrested on Sunday, and MD Rakib Hossein on Monday. All three have been remanded in police custody; MD Rakib Hossein for 15 days, and Polin and Al Ameen for five days.

The case remains under further investigation by the police.