Police have seized a Telegram group and arrested the two operators of the channel over the advertisement and sale of drugs and other illicit items.

"Jazeera Girls," "Jazeera Escort Gallery," "Jazeera Scam Alert," "Jazeera Link Habaru," and "Jazeera Admin" have been seized, police said. Advertisements on the channels have been inaccessible.

Two people who operated the channels were arrested on March 6, police confirmed to Adhadhu. The suspects were a 28-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman.

They are accused of money laundering, drug trafficking, prostitution, encouragement of prostitution and producing and distributing pornography, police said.

"Considering the financial transactions of the people arrested in this case, the investigation noted a large number of financial transactions disproportionate to their work," police said.

There were 6,529 members in the Jazeera group when it was taken under police control.

Aside from various types of drugs, the group also advertised and sold nude photos and videos. Prostitution had also been advertised.

The group most commonly advertised party drugs and types of cannabis, the most widely used drug in the Maldives.