Several arrests have been made in connection with drug operations conducted in southernmost Addu City.

The operations were conducted in Addu City by officers of the Maldives Police Service (MPS), as part of their efforts to combat drug trafficking and smuggling, and crack down on such networks operating across the Maldives.

MPS on Sunday revealed that one of the two operations was conducted in Feydhoo district of the southernmost city following an intel report of drug peddling allegations.

The operation was carried out after sundown on November 16.

Officers raided a residence in Feydhoo under a court order and arrested eight Maldivian men during the operation.

Arrested included a 20-year-old, a 26-year-old, a 27-year-old, a 30-year-old, a 31-year-old, a 33-year-old, a 36-year-old and a 45-year-old.

During the raid, officers confiscated seven pieces of cellophane, four empty film cannisters and a piece of paper stuffed with suspected narcotics inside the house.

Further, officers raided another residence in connection with the arrests made previously, the very next day. Three rubber packets filled with suspected narcotics were found during the operation conducted on November 17.

On November 15, officers stationed in Hulhumeedhoo district jointly with officers of the Police Intelligence Unit, conducted an operation during which four empty film cannisters and other items filled with suspected narcotics were found inside a boat.

A 31-year-old Maldivian man was arrested in connection with the operation. The drugs were found inside the boat he worked on.

Further investigations are underway in connection with both cases.