A van transporting a significant quantity of suspected alcohol was intercepted in Hulhumalé on Thursday night, and the driver has been taken into police custody.

According to the Maldives Police Service, officers received intelligence regarding a van en route to Hulhumalé, reportedly carrying boxes filled with bottles suspected to contain alcohol. The vehicle was stopped and searched on Reethigas Magu at approximately 9:46 p.m.

During the search, police discovered 75 bottles, each containing 500ml of liquid believed to be alcohol. The van has since been towed as part of the ongoing investigation.

The driver, a 37-year-old Nepalese national, was arrested at the scene in connection with the case.