Customs seizes 3.1 kilos of synthetic cathinone

Maldives Customs Service has seized over 3.1 kilos of drugs smuggled into the country via sea.

Customs said it seized the drugs on Thursday in an operation at the Male’ Commercial Port.

According to Customs, the drugs seized in the operation weigh over 3,110 grams (3.1 kilos), and tested positive for synthetic cathinone.

The street value of the drugs is estimated to be above MVR 5.6 million.

2026 ޖުލައި 23 ވަނަ ދުވަހު ކަނޑުމަގުން ރާއްޖެއެތެރެކުރަން އުޅުނު 3.1 ކިލޯއަށްވުރެ ގިނަ މަސްތުވާތަކެތި ކަސްޓަމްސްއިން އަތުލައިގެންފި.

????ބާވަތް: ސިންތެޓިކް ކެތިނޯން
???? ބަރުދަން: 3،110 ގްރާމް
????ޖުމްލަ މަަގުމަތީއަގު: 5.6 މިލިއަން ދިވެހި ރުފިޔާއަށް ވުރެ އިތުރު pic.twitter.com/VufDabDkOD

— Maldives Customs Service (@CustomsMv) July 23, 2026

The authorities have yet to disclose any more details regarding the case, including whether any arrests have been made.

Synthetic cathinones are lab-made central nervous system stimulants chemically related to cathinone, the active ingredient in the khat plant. Commonly known as "bath salts," they are designed to mimic illicit drugs like cocaine, MDMA, and methamphetamine.

The Maldives has seen a rise in the smuggle of the dangerous drug in recent years.