Five individuals have been arrested in connection with drug cases.

The Maldives Police Service (MPS) revealed that the five individuals were arrested during two separate operations conducted in two islands.

The operations were conducted as part of the police institution’s ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking and smuggling in the Maldives and crackdown on such networks.

An intel report received by the Gan Police Station led to the drug operation being conducted in Addu City Maradhoo on June 7.

A 22-year-old Maldivian man was arrested during the operation and officers found him in possession of 45 rubber packets containing suspected narcotics.

Upon being presented to the Maradhoo Magistrate Court for his remand hearing, the 22-year-old has since been remanded at a facility to be allocated by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The same day, police stationed at Ungoofaaru island of Raa atoll, intelligence officers and Hulhudhuffaaru Police Station conducted an operation in Rasgetheem island of Raa atoll following an intel report.

During the operation, officers arrested a 29-year-old Maldivian man, a 30-year-old Maldivian man and two expatriates aged 28 and 34 respectively.

During a raid on the speedboat the suspects were in, officers confiscated a large rubber packet and a smaller packet stuffed with suspected narcotics.

Further investigations are underway in connection with both cases.