Five individuals have been arrested in drug operations conducted by the Maldives Police Service (MPS).

The drug operations were conducted as part of the authority’s ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking and smuggling across the island nation and crackdown on such networks.

On June 8, police officers stationed in Dhangethi island of Alif Dhaal atoll conducted a drug operation after being tipped off that drug were being trafficked on the island. A 30-year-old Maldivian man was taken into police custody for being in possession of eight rubber packets filled with suspected narcotics, in connection with the drug operation.

Upon being presented to the Dhangethi Magistrate Court for his remand hearing, the man was given a 15-day remand period at a facility allocated by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The police institution revealed that one of the drug operations was conducted in Nilandhoo island of Faafu atoll on June 9 upon receiving an intel report of drug possession.

A Maldivian man, 28 was arrested during the operation on the island’s harbor. He was found in possession of eight pieces of cellophane containing suspected narcotics.

Upon being presented to the Nilandhoo Magistrate Court for his remand hearing, the 28-year-old has been given a remand period of five days, in a facility allocated by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The same day, a drug operation was conducted in Kudahuvadhoo island of Dhaalu atoll following an intel report.

A 37-year-old Maldivian man was arrested during the operation and officers confiscated five pieces of cellophane filled with suspected narcotics upon raiding his residence under a court order.

A 20-year-old Maldivian man was arrested during an operation conducted in Hithadhoo district of Addu City the same day.

The suspect was stopped and searched on the roads of Hithadhoo and was found to be in possession of 51 rubber packets filled with suspected narcotics.

Upon being presented to the Hithadhoo Magistrate Court for his remand hearing, the 20-year-old was given a 14-day remand period, at a facility allocated by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

In addition to this, a drug operation was conducted in a resort island in Alif Dhaal atoll on June 9, during which a 37-year-old Maldivian man was arrested for being in possession of 20 pieces of cellophane and an empty film cannister stuffed with suspected narcotics.

Upon being presented to the Mahibadhoo Magistrate Court for his remand hearing, the suspect was released under conditions.

All five cases are being investigated by the police institution.