Maldives Customs Service has seized more than 3.1 kilogrammes of drugs with an estimated street value of over MVR 5.6 million in an operation at the Malé Commercial Port.
Customs said the seizure was made on Thursday during an operation at the port. The drugs weighed more than 3,110 grammes and tested positive for synthetic cathinone.
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The authorities have not disclosed further details about the case, including how the drugs were concealed or whether any arrests have been made.
Synthetic cathinones are laboratory-produced central nervous system stimulants that are chemically related to cathinone, the active ingredient found in the khat plant. The substances are commonly referred to as “bath salts” and are designed to mimic the effects of illicit drugs such as cocaine, MDMA and methamphetamine.
The seizure comes amid an increase in the smuggling of synthetic cathinones into the Maldives in recent years, with authorities reporting a growing number of cases involving the drug.
