Tag: arthur brothers

Iranian boat and suspects connected with heroin seizure released

Police have released the Iranian vessel ‘Harmooz’ and six Pakistani nationals who were arrested in connection with the 24kgs of heroin that was seized by the police last month.

A police media official has confirmed the releases to local media but has declined to say why they had been released.

‘Hormooz’ was seized after having carried the drugs from Chahabar port in Iran and delivered it to the Maldivian fishing boat ‘Violet’ 30 nautical miles outside of Maldives EEZ.

A total of eighteen officers were involved in the operation, with a police report describing the operation as a unique experience for all who took part in the record-breaking operation.

Police have revealed that the money was transferred to the agents in Iran by a member of the Maldives Police Service who has subsequently been arrested in connection with the case.

Four Maldivians, three Bangladeshis, and 11 Pakistanis were taken into custody in connection with the case.

Local newspapers have reported that Abdulla Shaffath, who was arrested in connection with the Artur brothers’ case last year, was among the suspects taken into custody, although police have yet to confirm this.

Police Superintendent Mohamed Rasheed, head of the Drug Enforcement Department had previously told the media that the street value of the drugs may have been up to MVR100 million (US$6.5 million).

In an interview with Minivan News in January, Home Minister Umar Naseer said that the main target of his ministry for the next five years would be curbing drug-related crimes.

Naseer said that he intended to give a high priority to enhancing the customs services in order to stop illegal drugs and other contraband from being smuggled in to the country. He also said that the police intelligence department was being expanded.

“Leaving aside abusers and peddlers, the focus of this front will be on major wholesale drug dealers. We will investigate how drugs are brought into the country, find the contacts abroad, find ways to locate and take action against those involved even if they are abroad,” he said.

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Third man arrested in Arturs brothers case charged with fraud, forgery

The police have charged 28 year-old Mohamed Vishal of Everchance in Henveiru with fraud and forgery, confirmed Criminal Court media official Ahmed Mohamed Manik.

Manik confirmed that Vishal was brought before the judges last night, where his pretrial detention period was extended by 15 days.

Manik said Vishal had been accused of obtaining over US$32,000 from a company called company called ‘King Global Development Private Limited’, owned by a Thai national. It is currently unclear as to how the charges relate to this company or the money.

According to its website, the company deals in seafood, aviation services, dietary supplements and jewelry.

Visham is the third suspect along with fellow Maldivian Ahmed Nishan and French national Godzine Sargsyan to be detained by police in relation to investigation into the Artur Brother’s presence in the country.

A company named ‘Artur Brothers World Connections’ was registered in the Maldives in October 2012, with the Artur brothers holding an 80 percent share in a 61-19 percent split.

French nationals identified as Godzine Sargsyan and Edga Sargsyan had a 10 and 7 percent share, while a Maldivian national Ismail Waseem of H. Ever Chance was listed as holding the remaining 3 percent.

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Court extends detention of Godzine Sargsyan and Maldivian arrested in connection with Artur brothers case

The Criminal Court has extended the detention period of French national Godzine Sargsyan and a Maldivian man identified as Ahmed Nishan.

The Criminal Court today told local media that police have charged the pair with assault and battery, cases related to fraud, and providing invalid documents to government institutions.

Police have previously said there are many accusations against the two, but said details cannot be given as the case is still under investigation.

In April, police issued a statement asking for public assistance in locating Godzine Sargsyan. Godzine has been identified as one of the Artur brothers, who have come under scrutiny from local authorities after being linked in local media with alleged drug trafficking, money laundering, raids on media outlets and other serious crimes in Kenya.

Police said Godzine was a French national who came to the Maldives under the passport number 10CZ05238.

The pair turned themselves into police last week and were arrested.

Police are still looking for a Maldivian identified as Ahmed Visham of Henveiru Everchance House, in connection with the same case.

Local newspapers reported that the pair were living at Marble Guest House before they surrendered themselves to police. The Maldives Police Service later searched the guest house after arresting the two men.

Photos of the Arturs in the company of the two Maldivian ministers emerged on social media, apparently taken during the Piston Motor Racing Challenge held on Hulhumale’ between January 25 and 26.

A letter from the Tourism Ministry to immigration authorities requesting a residency visa for Margaryan and Sargayan Artur, dated January 27 and signed by Tourism Minister Ahmed Adheeb, was subsequently leaked on social media.

A company named ‘Artur Brothers World Connections’ was registered in the Maldives in October 2012, with the Artur brothers holding an 80 percent share in a 61-19 percent split.

French nationals identified as Godzine Sargsyan and Edga Sargsyan had a 10 and 7 percent share, while a Maldivian national Ismail Waseem of H. Ever Chance was listed as holding the remaining 3 percent.

Waseem’s share was subsequently transferred to Abdulla Shaffath of H. Ever Peace on November 25.

Meanwhile, on April 8, reports in local media suggested that Zaidul Khaleel, General Manager of the Club Faru resort, operated by the state-owned Maldives Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), had been dismissed after he was found to have paid the brothers’ US$6000 bill.

Immigration Controller Mohamed Ali previously told local media that while Sargasyan Artur had left the Maldives on March 31, given issues with the country’s border control system “there are questions surrounding the second brothers’ exit from the Maldives.”

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Police still looking for Godzine Sargsyan and two Maldivians in Artur brothers case

Police have been unable to determine the whereabouts of Godzine Sargsyan and two other Maldivians they have been searching for in regard to the ongoing Artur brothers case, police told local media today.

Police began looking for the individuals on April 23 and asked the public to provide assistance in locating Godzine Sargsyan. They separately issued a statement identifying the two Maldivians also sought by police.

At the time police did not state that the two Maldlvians were being searched for in connection with the Artur brothers case.

The two Maldivians were identified by the police as Ahmed Visham, 28 of H. Ever Chance in Male’ and Ahmed Nishan, 31 of Hulhumale’ flat number 5-2-04.

Earlier in April, pictures of the Artur brothers with Tourism Minister Ahmed Adheeb and Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim emerged on social media. The photos of the two Maldivian ministers in the company of the Arturs were apparently taken during the Piston Motor Racing Challenge held on Hulhumale’ between January 25 and 26.

However, the ministers denied involvement with the infamous brothers, who are linked to drug trafficking, money laundering, raids on media outlets and other serious crimes in Kenya.

A letter from the Tourism Ministry to immigration authorities requesting a residency visa for Margaryan and Sargayan Artur, dated January 27 and signed by Adheeb, was subsequently leaked on social media.

A company named ‘Artur Brothers World Connections’ was registered in the Maldives on October 2012, with the Artur brothers holding an 80 percent share in the 61-19 percent split company.

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Senior Customs officials summoned to parliament in connection with Arthur brothers

The Parliament’s Government Oversight Committee has summoned the Commissioner General of Customs Department Mohamed Ashwan and other senior officials of Customs Department over a matter concerning the Artur brothers.

Earlier in April pictures of Artur brothers with the Tourism Minister Ahmed Adheeb and Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim emerged on the social media.

The ministers denied involvement with the infamous brothers, who are linked with drug trafficking, money laundering, raids on media outlets and other serious crimes in Kenya.

The committee meeting was closed to the public and the media following a request made by the customs department.

According to newspaper Haveeru, four officials from the customs department appeared before the committee.

Haveeru reported that the officials were summoned to clarify the nature of goods imported to the Maldives by the Arthur brothers,  and to find out what were the suspicions against them.

In a previous meeting held with senior customs officials, Ashwan reportedly told the MPs that the matter was a “very dangerous case” and that he would provide all the details in a closed meeting as there were Maldivians involved in the matter.

Photos of the Arturs in the company of the two Maldivian ministers emerged on social media, apparently taken during the Piston Motor Racing Challenge held on Hulhumale’ between January 25 and 26.

A letter from the Tourism Ministry to immigration authorities requesting a residency visa for Margaryan and Sargayan Artur, dated January 27 and signed by Adheeb, was subsequently leaked on social media.

A company named ‘Artur Brothers World Connections’ was registered in the Maldives in October 2012, with the Artur brothers holding an 80 percent share in a 61-19 percent split.

French nationals identified as Godzine Sargsyan and Edga Sargsyan had a 10 and 7 percent share, while a Maldivian national Ismail Waseem of H. Ever Chance was listed as holding the remaining 3 percent.

Waseem’s share was subsequently transferred to Abdulla Shaffath of H. Ever Peace on November 25.

Police have meanwhile issued a statement asking for public assistance in locating one of the Artur brothers, Godzine Sargsyan.

Police said Godzine was a French national who came to the Maldives under the passport number 10CZ05238.

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Police seek public assistance to locate Godzine Sargsyan

Police have issued a statement asking for public assistance in locating one of the Artur brothers, Godzine Sargsyan.

Police said Godzine was a French national who came to the Maldives under the passport number 10CZ05238.

Police requested anyone with any information about Godzine Sargsyan to contact the police Serious and Organised Crime Department’s hotline 991 1099 or the police main line, 332 2111.

The statement did not reveal why Sargsyan was being sought. Police said they would provide security for people providing information to them.

Earlier this month, pictures of Artur brothers with the Tourism Minister Ahmed Adheeb and Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim emerged in the social media.

However, the ministers denied involvement with the infamous brothers, linked with drug trafficking, money laundering, raids on media outlets and other serious crimes in Kenya.

Photos of the Arturs in the company of the two Maldivian ministers emerged on social media, apparently taken during the Piston Motor Racing Challenge held on Hulhumale’ between January 25 and 26.

A letter from the Tourism Ministry to immigration authorities requesting a residency visa for Margaryan and Sargayan Artur, dated January 27 and signed by Adheeb, was subsequently leaked on social media.

A company named ‘Artur Brothers World Connections’ was registered in the Maldives in October 2012, with the Artur brothers holding an 80 percent share in a 61-19 percent split.

French nationals identified as Godzine Sargsyan and Edga Sargsyan had a 10 and 7 percent share, while a Maldivian national Ismail Waseem of H. Ever Chance was listed as holding the remaining 3 percent.

Waseem’s share was subsequently transferred to Abdulla Shaffath of H. Ever Peace on November 25.

Meanwhile, on April 8, reports in local media suggested that Zaidul Khaleel, General Manager of the Club Faru resort, operated by the state-owned Maldives Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), had been dismissed after he was found to have paid the brothers’ US$6000 bill.

Immigration Controller Mohamed Ali previously told local media that while Sargasyan Artur had left the Maldives on March 31, given issues with the country’s border control system “there are questions surrounding the second brothers’ exit from the Maldives.”

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