More than MVR 300 million has been circulated through bank accounts linked to a drug trafficking and money laundering network uncovered under Operation Alimagu, police have said.

The Maldives Police Service said financial investigations revealed that over the past five years, more than MVR 300 million, along with over USD 400,000, had moved through accounts associated with members of the network investigated.

Police said the findings follow raids carried out at 10 locations in the Malé area and Gaafu Alifu Atoll on 11 January, which resulted in the arrest of four individuals suspected of leading the network. The arrested were identified as Shaffah Latheef, 28, Ahmed Madheeh, 33, Ahmed Anaam Ibrahim, 30, and Nooruhnizam, 35.

According to police, Shaffah, Madheeh and Anaam have been remanded in custody pending trial, while Nooruhnizam has been remanded in custody for 15 days.

Police said the four men are believed to be at the centre of an organised network involved in large-scale drug trafficking and money laundering activities. Investigations into the network began in March 2025, with evidence indicating that the group has been engaged in drug trafficking since 2015.

Authorities have so far identified 19 individuals believed to be involved in the illicit activities, and investigations into all identified suspects are ongoing.

Police disclosed that MVR 17.2 million was circulated through the bank accounts of Ahmed Madheeh. Records also show that his account received MVR 430,638.99 as salary during the same period. Meanwhile, MVR 38.8 million was circulated through the accounts of Ahmed Anaam Ibrahim, whose recorded salary income amounted to MVR 271,874.32.

In addition, police said MVR 6.9 million was circulated through the bank accounts of Shaffah Latheef, while his recorded salary during the period stood at MVR 371,635.36.

As part of the ongoing investigation, police said 53 bank accounts belonging to 13 individuals have been frozen so far under court orders, as efforts continue to trace and recover proceeds linked to drug trafficking and money laundering activities.