Customs seizes over 2kg of synthetic cathinone worth MVR 3.9m at Velana International Airport

Maldives Customs Service has seized drugs worth MVR 3.9 million that were being smuggled into the country by air.

Customs said the seizure was made on the 4th of this month at Velana International Airport, where officers intercepted more than two kilograms of synthetic cathinone.

The street value of the drugs is estimated at over MVR 3.9 million.

This comes just a week after Customs seized more than 11 kilograms of drugs smuggled by air, valued at MVR 9.6 million.

Authorities say abuse of synthetic cathinone, including mephedrone‑type substances, has become increasingly widespread in the Maldives in recent years.