Two individuals have been arrested from Naifaru island of Lhaviyani atoll over drug trafficking allegations.

The operation was conducted by the police officers stationed on the island, as part of the Maldives Police Service (MPS)’s efforts to intercept drug trafficking and smuggling attempts across the country and to crackdown on such networks.

The police institution revealed that the operation stemmed from an intel report that narcotics were being used and peddled across a wide network on the island.

Arrested in the operation, conducted on October 23, were a 26-year-old and a 39-year-old.

Police officers had stopped the two individuals on the streets of the island and searched them, upon which they confiscated two rubber packets, an empty film cannister and two cellophane pieces stuffed with suspected narcotics.

Upon being presented to the Naifaru Magistrate Court for their remand hearing, the 26-year-old was given 14 days in custodial remand and the 39-year-old was given a 15-day period in remand.

Naifaru Police Station is currently conducting further investigations into the case.