A Sri Lankan fishing vessel with three crew members apprehended on Thursday for illegally operating within Maldivian waters has been handed over to the Maldives Police Service for further investigation.

According to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), the vessel was detected by a drone operated by the MNDF’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) service during a routine aerial surveillance mission. The MNDF Coast Guard intercepted the vessel and ensured it was brought under control without incident.

This marks the second successful interception using drone technology in recent months. In a similar operation last month, another foreign fishing vessel was detected and handed over to authorities.

Launched on 15 March 2024, the UAV service has become a critical tool in strengthening maritime security. The programme is part of the Government's broader initiative to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing while enhancing real-time monitoring capabilities across the Maldives' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).