Police have arrested a group of people for selling liquor illegally on a safari boat in near Hulhumale'.

Police said the operation was conducted on December 31, 2025 following a tip-off received by the Counter Narcotics Intelligence.

They seized 102 bottles and 218 cans from the safari. Five men were arrested. They were one Maldivian, two Sri Lankans, a Bangladeshi and an Indian.

The Maldivian national was identified as 52-year-old Mohamed Manik. The remaining suspects were 34-year-old MD Shekar Hossain of India, 35-year-old Russell Mia of Bangladesh, 27-year-old Pubud Asela Bandara Dolosba Gedara of Sri Lanka and 35-year-old Tharaka Saman Kumara Deva of Sri Lanka.

Shekear Hossain and Russell Mia were remanded in custody for five days and the other three for three days.