The Maldives Police Service has arrested six foreign nationals, including four Bangladeshis and two Indians, over suspected involvement in illegal foreign currency trading in the Maldives.

The arrests were made after the six individuals, who are employed in the Maldives, were detained by Maldives Immigration during an operation conducted by the Special Task Force established to combat illegal dollar trading, police said.

According to the Maldives Police Service, investigators found that more than MVR 54 million and approximately USD 1.6 million had been circulated through accounts linked to the six individuals over the past three years.

The four Bangladeshi nationals arrested in the investigation are Mohamed Rahul Amin, an accountant; Masood Mia, a waiter; MD Fareedhudheen, a driver; and Mohamed Muhamadur Hassa, a cleaner.

The two Indian nationals are Dhulkarunain Imran Khan, who works as an engineer, and Mohamed Asath, employed as a sales person.

Police said all six are suspected of engaging in the illegal trading of US dollars and other foreign currencies.

Trading or exchanging foreign currency in the Maldives without the required licence is prohibited under Maldivian law. The authorities have stepped up enforcement against unauthorised currency trading amid a shortage of US dollars in the country and the growing use of parallel-market exchange channels.

The latest arrests form part of the government's broader efforts to crack down on illegal foreign exchange activities and identify individuals and networks involved in unlicensed currency trading.

The investigation into the six suspects is ongoing.