The Maldives Immigration has apprehended a Bangladeshi national accused of using stray cat meat to prepare and sell food items.

The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Arfat Hossain, was arrested in Malé earlier today, following an intensive search announced by the authorities.

According to Immigration Controller Mohamed Shamaan Waheed, Arfat was taken into custody after being located in an undisclosed area of the capital city, Male’

The arrest occurred at approximately 10:30 am, as confirmed by the Maldives Police Service (MPS) to media.

This arrest follows an ongoing investigation initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, which had reported the case to the MPS.

The investigation began after reports surfaced that Arfat had been capturing stray cats from various parts of the city and using their meat to prepare food items such as burgers, which he allegedly sold to “Bondhu” market 

In addition to these allegations, authorities revealed that Arfat had been living in the Maldives illegally.