Police have detained 13 foreign nationals in an operation in Male’ city targeting a human trafficking network.
Raids were conducted in four buildings in the capital and 13 suspects were detained, police stated on Thursday.
The detainees are eight Bangladeshi men, one Bangladeshi woman and four Thai women. They are suspected of sex work which is illegal under Maldives’ law.
The operation was conducted jointly by the police anti-human trafficking department, intelligence department and immigration authorities based on intelligence information.
In February this year, two foreign women charged with prostitution were handed over to the immigration for deportation.
A 43-year old Maldivian man who was arrested with the women from a guesthouse in Male’was released from custody with conditions.
Last year, two Bangladeshi men were sentenced to 15 years in prison for human trafficking and forced prostitution.
