A quiet corner of Hulhumalé was rocked by police action this week as officers raided a spa suspected of being a front for prostitution. Following a tip-off, law enforcement stormed the establishment, leading to the arrest of seven individuals—three Thai nationals and four locals.

The foreign nationals arrested were all women from Thailand, while the Maldivian detainees included three women and one man. The suspects were swiftly brought before the Hulhumalé Court, where they were remanded for 10 days as investigations continue.

The incident has raised fresh concerns over the use of businesses as facades for illegal operations. Authorities are now working to unravel the depth of the network behind this operation, signaling a continued crackdown on criminal activities in the capital's urban sprawl.