Two Maldivians arriving from Thailand have been caught with drugs worth MVR 5.5 million.

Maldives Customs Service said that on December 26 two individuals who arrived from Thailand were detained while attempting to smuggle drugs concealed in their bodies, into the country. Customs stated that they were a 41-year-old Maldivian man and a 21-year-old Maldivian man.

Customs said that their suspicious behavior prompted authorities to investigate further.

After further inspection, drugs were found hidden in their bodies. In the initial analysis of the substances, Customs reported that they tested positive for two types of drugs: heroin and mephedrone. The quantities were 0.32 kg of heroin and 2.1 kg of mephedrone.

Customs stated that including the packaging, the total weight of the substances was 2.4 kg. The estimated street value of these drugs is MVR 5.5 million.

Customs said that for further investigation, the seized drugs and the two individuals have been handed over to the Maldives Police Service (MPS).

Customs frequently seizes large quantities of drugs attempted to be smuggled into the country via air. On 13 December 2024, they confiscated 235 grams of cannabis from the luggage of a 31-year-old Indian passenger arriving from the neighboring country. The street value of the substance was estimated at MVR 100,000. In addition to this, three months ago, they intercepted attempts to smuggle 3.48 kg of drugs and over nine kilograms of drugs via air.