Customs seizes over MVR 7.1 million in drugs; two arrested

Maldives Customs Service has seized 3.48 kilograms of drugs worth over MVR 7.1 million smuggled into the Maldives in two separate operations over the last one-week period.

In a statement on Thursday, Customs said the first cache of drugs were found during a search of the luggage of a 33-year-old Brazilian woman who flew to Maldives from Brazil on Saturday, October 5.

The drugs, weighing 2.44 kilograms, tested positive for cocaine.

The street value of the drugs is estimated to be MVR 6,100,000.

The second cache of drugs were found during an inspection of packages brought in via post on Monday, October 7.

One of the packages had 1.04 kilograms of a substance which tested positive for heroin.

The street value of the drugs is estimated to be MVR 1,040,000.

The authorities detained a 40-year-old Maldivian man who went to Customs to collect the package.

The drugs seized in the two operations weigh total 3.48 kilograms and are worth around MVR 7,140,000.

Customs said that the Brazilian woman and the Maldivian man detained in the two cases, along with the confiscated drugs have been handed over to the police for criminal investigation.