Two Indian Nationals Arrested at VIA With Drugs Worth Millions

Two Indian nationals were arrested at Velana International Airport in Male’ on Friday after authorities seized drugs valued at millions of rufiyaa.

Maldives Customs reported that more than 11 kilogrammes of drugs were intercepted at the airport, including over 5.37 kilogrammes of cannabis leaf and 6.59 kilogrammes of hashish oil. The total estimated street value of the seized substances exceeds MVR 9.6 million, with the hashish oil alone valued at MVR 5.27 million.

Police stated on Monday that two Indian men were handed over by Customs in connection with the hashish oil seizure and were subsequently arrested on suspicion of drug smuggling. They were identified as 27-year-old Yuthish Raj Rajan and 24-year-old Eshvarumuriti Shanmugam.

The suspects were presented before the Criminal Court on Saturday for a remand hearing. According to the investigating officer, the drugs were discovered in two pieces of luggage the men had brought into the country.

During the hearing, Rajan stated that he had travelled to the Maldives as a tourist and claimed he was unaware that the luggage contained drugs. He also said that Shanmugam had accompanied him at his request. Shanmugam similarly told the court that he had no knowledge of the drugs.

Both individuals requested legal representation.

The court ordered that the two men be remanded in police custody for 15 days, while granting them the right to seek a review of the remand once they appoint legal counsel.

The case remains under investigation by the police.