date_range
Tuesday 17 Sep 2024
LOCAL EDITION
close
LOCAL EDITION
15.38 kilograms of drugs valued at MVR 12.3 million seized from a Malay national. (Sun photo)
Maldives Customs, in collaboration with Maldives Police Service, has seized 15.38 kilograms of drugs smuggled into the Maldives by foreigners from four nations via a Malay national.
The drugs were seized on Saturday.
Speaking at a press conference held at Iskandar School on Monday morning, Customs’ Superintendent Mohamed Afzal said the drugs with a street value of MVR 12.3 million, were seized from a Malay national.
He noted that this was the first time a Malaysian had been caught while attempting to smuggle drugs into the Maldives. With 15.38 kilograms, this marks the largest quantity of drugs seized under one case this year.
Police suspect the participation of nationals from a total of three countries in this case.
Afzal said the suspect in custody attempted to mislead the public regarding the route they had traveled, adding the suspect was found to have been in possession of fake tickets during a search.
“Customs discovered fake tickets on the suspect during a search. They traveled to the Maldives, via Bangkok to Dubai and Dubai to Maldives,” he said.
Police said an additional Malay national suspected to be involved in the case was arrested on Saturday as well, identifying the suspect as a 41-year-old man.
Both of them have been remanded in custody by the Criminal Court for 15 days.
While the investigation into the case is still underway, Police emphasized the suspect the involvement of additional suspects. They are investigating the case in collaboration with foreign authorities.
Police, in an earlier press conference, said MVR 143 million worth of drugs and alcohol were seized during the first six months of 2024.
Statistics of seized items:
As per the Police, 116 foreigners have been deported in the first six months of this year over drug-related cases.
