Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has intercepted a foreign fishing boat that illegally entered the country's territorial waters. The vessel, of Sri Lankan origin, carried three individuals who have now been handed over to the Maldives Police Service for further investigation.

The MNDF confirmed that the boat was seized on Thursday with the assistance of an MNDF Air Co Drone, marking a significant milestone in surveillance efforts.

While foreign fishing vessels are occasionally spotted in Maldivian waters, this is the first time a drone has been successfully used to detect and apprehend such activity.