Customs Seize 18kg of Narcotics in Latest Drug Bust

The Maldives Customs Service has confiscated 18 kilograms of narcotic substances that were being trafficked into the country, in what authorities have described as a significant seizure.

According to the Minister of Home Affairs, Ali Ihusan, the street value of the confiscated drugs is estimated to be around MVR 26 million. In a public statement, the minister commended Customs personnel for their vigilance in monitoring the country’s borders and for their continued efforts to prevent the entry of illicit substances.

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ކަސްޓަމްސް @CustomsMv އިން މިރޭ ހިންގި ޚާއްސަ އޮޕަރޭޝަނެއްގައިވަނީ 18 ކިލޯގްރާމްގެ މަސްތުވާތަކެތި ރާއްޖެ އެތެރެކުރަން އުޅެނިކޮށް އަތުލައިގަނެފައި. މިތަކެތީގެ މަގުމަތީގެ އަގަކީ ގާތްގަނޑަކަށް 26 މިލިއަން ދިވެހި ރުފިޔާ. ދިވެހިރާއްޖެ މަސްތުވާތަކެތިން އެއްކޮށް ސަލާމަތްކުރުމަށް ކުރެވޭ… pic.twitter.com/TOh9QKOhms— Minister of Homeland Security & Technology (@min_mohst) June 10, 2025

The operation, which took place on Tuesday, is the latest in a series of high-profile drug interdictions. Earlier in March, Customs had intercepted another shipment involving 6.7 kilograms of narcotics. The most recent seizure was made during a targeted inspection of imported goods as part of a special Customs operation.

In a separate incident on 5 March, Indian border patrol authorities, in a joint operation, confiscated a shipment en route to the Maldives, valued at approximately MVR 59 million.

Drug trafficking and peddling remain among the most persistent criminal challenges facing the Maldives. Authorities have reported little decline in the number of cases in recent years, with increasing local involvement, including minors, in drug-related offences.

The government has intensified its response to the crisis, introducing stricter preventive measures and expanding rehabilitation programmes aimed at reducing drug dependency among the population.