Authorities have remanded the 13 prison officers who were arrested for smuggling drugs, phones, and other contraband into prisons as officials undercover a massive ring for such smuggling.
During a press conference last Thursday, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusan revealed that police and Maldives Corrections Services are conducting a special investigation into the smuggling ring.
Police said at the same press conference that MVR 73,600,000 has been deposited to the accounts of 18 employees who work for Maldives Corrections Services which is believed to be payment for smuggling contraband.
Authorities confirmed that 13 officers were arrested during the investigation they include 9 from Maafushi, 2 from Kaashidhoo, 1 from Utheem, and the remaining officer from Male'.
Officials said that out of these 13 officers, 11 have been remanded in custody pending the outcome of their trials while the remaining 2 officers were remanded in custody for 5 days.
Police are also investigating who had made the huge deposits into the accounts of the officers as the MVR 73 million was deposited since January 2023.
Minister Ihusan assured that the harshest punishment would be given to those responsible once the investigation is over and that 6 employees involved in the case have left their posts but assured that they too would be investigated.
