A Maldivian national has been arrested on suspicion of leading a large-scale alcohol distribution network in Malé.
Police identified the suspect as Mohamed Rashwan Abbas, 53. He was apprehended following a raid on a residence in the Henveiru ward targeting an illicit liquor trade operation. Upon being produced before the court to determine his detention status, he was remanded in custody for 15 days.
"Based on information gathered during the investigation so far, Mohamed Rashwan Abbas, 53, of H. Karoge, Malé, who is suspected of playing a leading role in this network, was taken into police custody under a court order on October 13," the police stated.
According to the police, two of the three expatriates previously arrested in connection with this network are employees of Rashwan. These employees reportedly confessed that they were selling alcohol under Rashwan's direct instructions.
In court, Rashwan denied the allegations against him. He argued that the search of the premises where the alcohol was discovered was conducted without his presence or the presence of anyone representing his interests.
The three expatriates arrested in this case are Bangladeshi nationals: Al-Amin, 34; Polin, 43; and MD Rakib Hossain, 25. Al-Amin and Polin have been remanded for five days, while Rakib has been given a 15-day remand.
A total of 826 bottles of alcohol were seized during the joint operation conducted by the Police Counter-Narcotics Intelligence and the Drug Enforcement Department. The items were found stored openly in various locations within a storeroom.
Furthermore, some of the seized bottles were packed in boxes that were clearly labelled with the alcohol brands.
