Three individuals have been arrested in two separate drug busts.

The Maldives Police Service (MPS) made the arrests during operations conducted as part of their ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking and smuggling across the Maldives and crackdown on such networks.

As such, officers stationed in Male' City and the Police Intelligence Unit jointly conducted an operation on the city after being tipped off that drugs were being trafficked on the island.

During the operation officers confiscated 27 pieces of cellophane, 10 rubber packets, eight empty film cannisters, three bottles, two juice petty packets and additional materials filled with suspected narcotics.

A 27-year-old and a 30-year-old were arrested in connection with the operation, conducted in two residences. Both the arrested were Maldivian men.

Upon being presented to the Criminal Court for remand hearing, the 27-year-old was remanded by three days, and th 30 - year old was remanded by one day at a facility allocated by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Another operation was conducted in Villimale, on 19 September, after police received an intel report that drugs were being smuggled into the island.

During the operation, a 31-year old was arrested.

During the operation officers confiscated 290 rubber packets filled with suspected narcotics from his residence.

Upon being presented to the Criminal Court for remand hearing, the 31-year old was remanded by five days at a facility allocated by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Both of the cases are currently under further investigation.