Maldives Police Service has arrested three Sri Lankan nationals in Malé City during an anti-drug operation carried out on 27 August.

The arrested individuals have been identified as 29-year-old Senith Heshan Wikramasingha, 39-year-old Dhulith Madusaakaa, and 24-year-old Jinitha Madurangaa Senavirathin. According to police, the arrests were made following intelligence information suggesting that the three were consuming and selling alcohol in the capital.

During the search operation, officers recovered 19 bottles of alcohol and 12 cans of beer. Police confirmed that the case remains under investigation.

In the Maldives, consuming or selling alcohol in inhabited islands is illegal. However, alcohol is legally available to tourists in designated resort islands and liveaboard vessels catering to the tourism industry.