Four individuals, including well-known media personality Nafiu Rasheed, commonly known as Nappe, have been arrested in the capital Malé City on suspicion of exposing minors to criminal activity.

The arrests were made during a police operation on Monday in the Henveiru district. The individuals taken into custody are Nafiu Rasheed native to Rakeedhoo island of Vaavu atoll, Luhaan Saeed native to Vaadhoo island of Gaaf Dhaal atoll, Ali Ashraf and Ibrahim Shinaan Ahmed native to Malé.

According to police, the arrests followed a search of an apartment where a rubber packet suspected to contain narcotics was discovered. Preliminary urine tests reportedly returned positive results for all four individuals, indicating recent drug use.

Among the victims identified in this case are two 17-year-old girls and two boys aged 16 and 17. While authorities have confirmed the involvement of minors, they have withheld key details regarding the nature and extent of the abuse or exploitation. The lack of transparency raises concerns about how such sensitive cases are being handled, particularly when minors are involved.

The suspects were presented to court, which ordered them to be held in custody for three days pending further investigation. Police have stated that the investigation remains active.

This case emerges amid growing public concern over the apparent rise in crimes targeting minors, especially those involving drugs and exploitation. Despite repeated assurances from the authorities, incidents like these highlight the urgent need for stronger preventative measures, more robust enforcement, and greater accountability in protecting vulnerable children from criminal networks.