Social
Six Bangladeshi nationals were arrested at Velana International Airport attempting to smuggle out of the country foreign currency worth more than 3.86 million Maldivian Rufiyaa hidden inside "Ye-Ye" cereal packets on a Maldivian flight bound for Dhaka. Additionally, a 38-year-old Egyptian man, Peter Saman Marzouk Saman, was taken into police custody and detained at the same airport after joking that there was a bomb in his aunt's bag during security screening. Furthermore, in a 10-hour special joint operation conducted on September 19, 2026, in AA. Thoddoo by Immigration, Police, and the Homeland Security Ministry to identify undocumented expatriates, 507 foreigners were screened and 107 undocumented foreigners were taken into Immigration custody. Meanwhile, relevant authorities also disclosed important information regarding the land reclamation project in K. Thulusdhoo.
In an operation conducted by a special police task force to locate parties involved in illegal foreign currency trading transactions, six foreigners who attempted to smuggle a large amount of foreign currency out of the Maldives hidden in cereal boxes have been arrested at Velana International Airport. Police revealed on 19 September 2026 that the currency seized in this case included money from a total of 18 countries, including 174,161 US Dollars, 56,760 Euros, and 1,815 Sterling Pounds. According to police, the total value of the money seized from their possession amounts to approximately 3.8 million Maldivian Rufiyaa. Police are further investigating the case and taking necessary legal action.
A total of 107 expatriates have been taken into immigration custody from AA. Thoddoo in a special operation conducted by Maldives Immigration to locate illegal foreigners. This operation was a wide-ranging effort carried out on that island to address the issue of foreigners living and engaging in businesses illegally in the Maldives. Maldives Immigration conducted this operation as part of ongoing efforts to inspect expatriates staying illegally across the Maldives and bring them within the legal framework. Relevant authorities are currently taking necessary action against the apprehended expatriates in accordance with immigration laws and regulations.
An Egyptian national has been taken into police custody and arrested after joking that there was a bomb at Velana International Airport. This incident occurred after he spoke about the presence of a bomb, in violation of airport security procedures and in a manner that endangered passenger safety. While making such statements as a joke in high-security zones like airports is a criminal offense, police are investigating the matter further.
The latest information regarding the K. Thulusdhoo land reclamation project was disclosed on 19 September 2026. This project is a crucial endeavor carried out with the aim of providing a permanent solution to the land shortage faced by the island, and creating space for housing, economic, and various industrial purposes. Relevant authorities have shared details regarding the progress of the land reclamation work and the developmental advancements it will bring to the island.