Police recover 142 drug bullets from Nepalese duo arrested from airport

Maldivian authorities have recovered 142 drug bullets from two Nepalese nationals who were arrested last week from the Velana International Airport, with preliminary tests putting the weight of the narcotics above 1.5 kilos.

40-year-old Nepalese woman Ithraanee Gale and 47-year-old Nepalese man Nikka Thamang were arrested by the Drug Enforcement on Friday, after they were handed over by Maldives Customs Service.

They were apprehended on suspicion of ingesting and smuggling a large quantity of drugs into the country.

In a statement on Monday, the police said they recovered total 142 drug bullets weighing over 1.5 kilos from them.

Gale and Thamang had their initial remand hearing held in absentia at the Criminal Court on Saturday, as they were both admitted to medical facilities at the time. The court remanded them in custody of the police for three days, but instructed the police to present them at court once their health condition improved.

They were both presented at court on Sunday following their discharge, and had their remand extended by 30 days.

The remand orders issued by the court stated the police recovered 53 drug bullets weighing 650 grams from their stomach.