Authorities have arrested 11 suspects in possession of 60 kg of drugs during a special anti-drug trafficking operation.

Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed - via Twitter on Thursday - revealed that 61.06 kgs of heroin were seized during a joint operation by the Drug Intelligence, Operations team of the Drugs Enforcement Department and Marine Police of the Maldives Police Service (MPS). The commissioner also disclosed that the drugs have a value of approximately MVR 72 million.

Further, authorities state that 11 Maldivians were arrested in connection to the drugs, adding that seven suspects were taken into custody from a fishing vessel while the other four were apprehended from Hulhumale'.

Drug traffickers have commonly been caught attempting to smuggle drugs into the Maldives via sea route, nevertheless, many have been discovered attempting to do so via air travel as well.

As such, police seized over nine kg of drugs in January.