Authorities temporarily suspend Royal Island’s liquor license

Authorities have issued a temporary suspension on Villa Hotels-run Royal Island Resort’s liquor license.

General Manager at Royal Island, Gaisar Naseem reported to “Sun” that the resort’s liquor license has been suspended for six months – starting from this Sunday.

The letter, addressed to Chairman of Villa, Qasim Ibrahim by Ministry of Economic Development reads that Island Travel and Trade – which runs Royal Island has conducted an action stated in Article 11 (c) of Regulation on Liquor and Pork, and that its license has therefore been suspended for the period of six months.

Article 11 (c) of Regulation on Liquor and Pork states liquor for immediate consumption, items which contains liquor, pork and products which contain pork and products made from pig must be sold and served to foreigners registered at places stated in (a) of the Article or foreigners who visit such places.

Police and Customs has raided four of Villa’s resorts – Fun Island, Sun Island, Holiday Island and Paradise Island – alleging the liquor and pork used in the four resorts were issued to Royal Island. Customs, last Saturday, seized liquor on Fun Island transported there after March 22, 2017.

Customs said it seized all services to the four resorts starting from March 22, 2017 under MIRA’s enforcement policy for failing to make regular payments. The liquor licenses for all four resorts have also been cancelled, reports Customs.