Spanish And Local Nationals Arrested Over Alleged Drug Smuggling

Maldivian authorities have arrested a Spanish national and a local individual in connection with the alleged smuggling of a significant quantity of illicit drugs into the country.

The Spanish national, identified as Pedro Miguel Manzano Angosto, was detained with the drugs and presented before the Criminal Court on Monday. Court documents state that Manzano, an English speaker, was provided with an interpreter during the detention hearing and requested legal representation.

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Police have not disclosed further details about the case, but a 46-year-old local man from a southern island, who is believed to have gone to the airport to meet the Spaniard, was also taken into custody. He has been remanded for 10 days.

Separately, authorities arrested a 21-year-old Dutch woman earlier this week on suspicion of smuggling drugs into the Maldives. She has been remanded for 15 days on charges of drug smuggling and trafficking.

Drug-related offences remain a significant social concern in the Maldives. The President has reportedly instructed relevant authorities to work on legislative amendments that would introduce the death penalty for individuals convicted of importing or trafficking drugs.