Customs Seize MVR 4.4 Million Worth of Drugs at Gan Airport

Maldives Customs Service has seized drugs worth an estimated MVR 4.4 million from the luggage of two Indian passengers who arrived at Gan International Airport in Addu.

The seizure was made on Saturday after Customs officers searched the passengers’ luggage on suspicion that it contained illegal substances. A total of 5.5 kilograms of drugs were recovered during the operation.

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Customs said the case comes amid an increase in attempts to smuggle drugs into the Maldives by passengers travelling from India.

In a separate investigation, Customs is also looking into a 30-year-old Indian man accused of attempting to smuggle drugs concealed inside the soles of his shoes.

Earlier this month, five people were arrested after authorities intercepted 8.3 kilograms of drugs hidden in false-bottomed luggage carried by passengers arriving from Bengaluru. Police said two Indian nationals have been remanded in custody pending trial, while three Maldivians are also implicated in the case.

The Narcotics Control Bureau has issued a public advisory warning that Indian nationals are increasingly among the foreign individuals involved in attempts to smuggle drugs into the Maldives.

Under amendments to the Narcotics Act that came into force in March, drug trafficking involving quantities above the prescribed thresholds is punishable by death. The death sentence can only be carried out with the unanimous agreement of Supreme Court judges. If unanimity is not reached, offenders may instead be sentenced to life imprisonment and fined between MVR 100,000 and MVR 10 million.