The Maldives National Defence Force MNDF has seized a Sri Lankan fishing boat that had entered Maldivian waters.
MNDF said that the boat had entered the Special Economic Zone of the Maldives and was spotted east of Kaafu Dhiffushi. They further said that the boat was carrying 6 people.
They also said that after seizing the boat, MNDF has now released it to the custody of the Maldives Police Service.
MNDF also released pictures of the boat, which show that the vessel is usually used for fishing in Sri Lanka. But it is unclear whether the boat was inside Maldivian waters to fish or for any other purpose.
Last June, the MNDF seized two Sri Lankan fishing boats illegally entering the Maldives' Special Economic Zone.
In the past, neighboring countries' vessels have been detained and fined while trying to fish in Maldivian waters.
Some of these ships are also reportedly smuggling large quantities of drugs into the Maldives.
