Customs Seizes Heroin Worth MVR 2.2 Million at Airport

Maldives Customs has seized 2.2 kilogrammes of heroin with an estimated street value of MVR 2.2 million after the drugs were smuggled into the country by air.

According to Customs, the drugs were recovered from a man who arrived in the Maldives last Friday. Laboratory tests confirmed the substance to be heroin. The agency stated that the seized narcotics weighed 2.2 kilogrammes and carried an estimated street value of approximately MVR 2 million.

The latest seizure comes weeks after authorities intercepted more than 36 kilogrammes of drugs that were being smuggled into the country by sea on 12 February. Customs reported that the street value of that consignment exceeded MVR 29 million.

In December, the Supreme Court of the Maldives unanimously approved amendments allowing the death penalty for drug traffickers under specific circumstances. The changes were ratified three days later by Dr Mohamed Muizzu.

Customs stated that the latest case has been handed over to the Maldives Police Service for further investigation.