The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has launched an investigation into the disappearance of USD 30,000 in cash that was seized in connection with a case filed on 15 September 2019.

In a statement to the media on Thursday night, MPS confirmed that the Criminal Investigation Command is probing the discrepancy after a shortfall was discovered in the total seized amount. The gap was identified yesterday during checks on the stored evidence.

MPS also reported that they had recovered damaged currency from a bag in the storage location. The recovered money is now undergoing forensic examination.

Authorities have not disclosed details of the original case in which the cash was seized, nor the circumstances under which the discrepancy was discovered.