A total of 116 migrants have been deported so far this year, for being involved in drug cases.

This was revealed during a joint press conference held by the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and Maldives Customs Service on Saturday.

Head of MPS’s Drug Enforcement Department (DED), Superintendent Nahid Hussain revealed that in the first six months of the ongoing year, more than 10 kilograms of drugs were seized per month, on an average.

He added that the total street value of the multiple types of drugs seized exceeded MVR 130 million.

Further, he stated that the different types of alcohol seized so far this year carry a street value of MVR 12.4 million.

Noting that a total of 116 migrants involved in drug-related cases have been deported so far this year, Nihad stated that some of these cases had the involvement of Maldivians as well.

Further investigations are currently underway in connection with the involvement of locals in such cases.

According to the DED Head, officers had confiscated a total of 62 kilograms. In addition to this, party drugs and other different types of drugs were seized, totaling a street value of MVR 143 million.

According to MPS, authorities pay special attention to cases linked to drug possession as well as trafficking and smuggling.

The police institution plans on conducting special operations in the near future.