Customs seize 11.6 kgs of narcotics

Maldives Customs has confiscated 11.6 kgs of narcotics concealed in a pile of mattresses in a vessel that came from India.

Speaking at a press conference today, Superintendent Abdullah Shareef said that the 11.6 kgs of narcotics were seized in an operation conducted last night, based on information received two months ago.

He said that the vessel left Tuticorin port on 19 June bound for Maldives, and two people have been arrested for this crime.

The arrests have not been confirmed by the police.

Shareef said that the items brought in by the vessel were checked last night at 22:00, and 14 packets of drugs were discovered concealed in mattresses brought in by a local import company.

He said that the confiscated material consist of 10.6 kgs of hash oil and 1 kg of heroin, which would have a street value of about MVR 10 million.