Maldives Police Service, on Tuesday, has denied that the Sri Lankan fishing vessel, seized by the Sri Lankan authorities with over 300 kilograms of drugs, had loaded the consignment of drugs from the Maldives.
Citing local authorities, Sri Lankan media outlets reported earlier Tuesday that ‘Seedevi’, a fishing vessel recently seized by the Sri Lanka Navy with 355 kilograms of drugs on board, had traveled to Maldivian territory to collect the consignment of the drugs.
Maldivian Police denied the report on Tuesday, noting that Sri Lankan Police had confirmed to them that the vessel did not load the drugs from the Maldives.
According to the report by Sri Lankan media, the information suggesting that the fishing vessel ‘Seedevi’ had traveled to the Maldives to collect the drug consignment allegedly emerged during the interrogation of the vessel’s owner, who was arrested in Galle.
Over 300 kilograms of drugs seized from Sri Lankan vessel ‘Seedevi’. 
The media outlets, citing police sources, reported that the owner said he had handed the vessel over to his brother-in-law for fishing purposes and claimed to have no knowledge of the drug-smuggling operation during questioning.
As per the reports, the vessel was intercepted by Sri Lankan Navy from the country’s western sea. Upon inspection, over 300 kilograms of drugs were discovered aboard the vessel, accounting for 251 kilograms and 18 grams of crystal methamphetamine (Ice) and 85 kilograms of heroin.
Sri Lankan authorities placed the street value of the seized drugs at approximately five billion Sri Lankan Rupees.
Six suspects aboard the vessel at the time of its seizure were arrested. They have been remanded in custody by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court until November 8th for further questioning.
Sri Lankan Police is also detaining the owner of the vessel for seven days for interrogation in connection with the case. They believe a suspect, who is currently residing in Dubai, is the mastermind behind the smuggling racket.