Customs has seized a total of 1.518 kilograms of narcotics that were being attempted to be smuggled into the Maldives by sea. Previously, a boat believed to be a Sri Lankan fishing vessel was intercepted off the coast of HDh. Makunudhoo and taken to HDh. Kulhudhuffushi harbor under Coast Guard custody last night. When the boat was searched this morning, a large quantity of drugs was found.
344 kg of methamphetamine and 124.6 kg of cocaine were found inside that boat. Five Sri Lankan men have been arrested in connection with this case. Regarding the additional drug shipment found today, Customs said that these items were seized during the inspection of a sea freight shipment brought to Male Commercial Harbor, when suspicious substances were found and further inspection was conducted.
Customs said that when they suspected that drugs were hidden in this sea freight shipment that was inspected today, upon further examination, they seized packets containing substances suspected to be narcotics hidden among the goods in this shipment. Customs also said that when they analyzed these hidden substances in the first stage, they tested positive for methamphetamine, a type of narcotic. The total weight of these substances is 1.518 kilograms. The street value of these substances is estimated to be over three million Maldivian rufiyaa.
