Maldives Immigration detains a foreigner attempting to depart from Velana International Airport (VIA) on suspicions of human trafficking.
A foreign man has been detained over suspicions of human trafficking, according to Immigration. However, Immigration did not detail the nationality of the expatriate.
Immigration said the man was detained for trying to flee the country by leaving behind a woman who accompanied him. Immigration stated the man was trying to leave the country with the passport of the woman and came to Maldives claiming to be a married couple. Moreover, Immigration revealed the foreigner is now under custody of Maldives Police Service pending further investigations.
A Human Trafficking Law was ratified in 2013, due to the increasing amount of foreigners being brought to Maldives with false promises of employment.
Maldives Immigration recently commenced efforts to strengthen border security of Maldives.