Maldives customs on Tuesday announced plans to fix a satellite tracking device on all marine vessels to track pork and alcohol transports in the island nation.
Speaking during a press conference on Tuesday, Commissioner General of Customs Mohamed Junaid said the decision to fix a small tracking device on vessels transporting pork and alcohol was taken to monitor the movements of such vessels.
The device would transmit live data to the customs control centre which would enable customs officials to monitor movements of the vessels and find out if the vessels veer off course from the designated destination, Junaid explained.
"For example if a vessel headed to Addu city changes course we would know. If it changes course from the one given to us we can determine whether its sticking to it. There will be a geo fence. If the vessel veers from it customs would know. It'll be easier for us to track," he said.
The sale of alcohol and pork is prohibited in inhabited islands as the consumption of alcohol and pork is forbidden in Islam. Both liquor and pork are imported to the Maldives for tourist resorts but especially alcohol are often diverted and sold in inhabited islands.
