Customs seizes 2.2kg of heroin worth MVR 2 million smuggled into Maldives by air

Maldives Customs has seized heroin worth MVR 2 million that was smuggled into the country by air.

According to Customs, the drugs were recovered from a man who arrived in the Maldives last Friday. Tests confirmed the substance to be heroin. The seized items weighed 2.2 kg, with an estimated street value of MVR 2.2 million, the agency said.

The latest seizure comes just weeks after authorities intercepted more than 36 kg of drugs being smuggled into the country by sea on February 12. Customs said the street value of that haul exceeded MVR 29 million.

ވައިގެމަގުން ރާއްޖެއެތެރެކުރަން އުޅުނު 2.2 ކިލޯގްރާމްގެ މަސްތުވާތަކެތި ކަސްޓަމްސްއިން އަތުލައިގެންފި.

????ބާވަތް: ހެރޮއިން
????ބަރުދަން: 2.2 ކިލޯގްރާމް (2240 ގްރާމް)
????މަަގުމަތީއަގު: 2,240,000 ދިވެހި ރުފިޔާ
????ތާރީޚް: 27 ފެބްރުވަރީ 2026 pic.twitter.com/DQqgbzPYae

— Maldives Customs Service (@CustomsMv) March 1, 2026

In December, the Supreme Court unanimously approved amendments allowing the death penalty for drug traffickers under specific circumstances. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu ratified the changes three days later.

Customs said the latest case has been handed over to the Maldives Police Service for further investigation.