Maldives Police have stated that the drugs found on a Sri Lankan vessel that was seized while attempting to smuggle a large quantity of narcotics into Sri Lanka by sea were not loaded from the Maldives.

According to a report by the Sri Lankan newspaper "News First," the vessel seized is named "Sea Devi." The newspaper reported that the vessel entered Maldivian waters and collected the drug shipment, and that the vessel did not engage in any fishing activities during its journey.

Citing Sri Lankan police, the newspaper reported that the vessel was given to the owner's brother for fishing purposes. However, when questioned, he claimed he was unaware of the attempt to import drugs, according to the report. The vessel was foun was found with 269 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (meth) and 85 kilograms of heroin, according to Sri Lankan police.

A fishing vessel carrying a large shipment of drugs worth five billion Indian rupees ($56 million), which was allegedly collected from Maldivian waters, was seized yesterday off the western coast of Sri Lanka.

However, Maldives Police said today that when they inquired from relevant Sri Lankan authorities whether the drugs were loaded onto the vessel from the Maldives, Sri Lankan authorities confirmed that the drugs were not loaded from the Maldives.

"Sri Lankan official authorities have confirmed to the Maldives Police Service that the vessel seized with 355 kilograms of drugs is not a vessel that loaded drugs from Maldivian territory," the police said.

Six people have been arrested along with the seized drugs, and the Colombo Chief Magistrate Court has ordered them to be detained until the 8th of this month. The vessel owner has also been arrested and detained for seven days.

Sri Lankan police suspect that the mastermind behind the drug shipment is a person named "Dinuka" who lives in Dubai.

Sri Lankan police said they are continuing to question the vessel owner, who has who has been detained for a seven-day period in connection with the case.