Three individuals have been arrested from three different islands of Gaaf Alif atoll, for being in possession of drugs.

The Maldives Police Service (MPS) revealed that the drug operation was conducted in the three islands of Gaaf Alif atoll as part of their efforts to curb drug trafficking and smuggling across the island nation, and to crackdown on such networks.

The operations were carried out in Kanduhulhudhoo, Dhevvadhoo and Gemanafushi.

The operation in Kanduhulhudhoo stemmed from an intel report that drugs were being trafficked on the island. The operation was conducted by the officers of the Police Intelligence Unit, Gemanafushi Police Station and Kanduhulhudhoo Police Station.

During the operation carried out on Sunday, a 41-year-old was arrested under a court order and officers raided the suspect’s home to find a rubber packet filled with suspected drugs.

The suspect was taken to the Gemanafushi Magistrate Court for his remand hearing, with which he was remanded by 15 days at a facility allocated by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The operation in Dhevvadhoo was carried out April 22 following a tip-off. A 31-year-old was arrested during the operation. Upon attempts to search him the suspect tossed a piece of paper in which officers found six rubber packets filled with suspected narcotics.

Upon being taken to his remand hearing to the Villingili Magistrate Court, the suspect was remanded by seven days, at a facility allocated by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The operation conducted in Gemanafushi on April 21 saw the arrest of a 33-year-old under a court order.

Upon searching the man after taking him into police custody, officers found five pieces of paper and a rubber packet stuffed with suspected narcotics on the man.

Upon being taken to his remand hearing to the Gemanafushi Magistrate Court, the suspect was remanded by 15 days, at a facility allocated by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

All three cases are currently under further investigations.