Arrests have been made in connection with a drug bust.
Three people were arrested on suspicion of importing drugs into the Maldives.
Maldives Police Service (MPS) has identified the suspects as Ahmed Naseer, 45 and native to Dhidhdhoo island of Haa Alif atoll, Ali Aiham, 18 and native to Kanduhulhudhoo island of Gaaf Alif atoll and Rohaman, 29, a Bangladeshi citizen.
Naseer was arrested on the night of October 31 at Velana International Airport (VIA) based on information shared by the Maldives Customs Service.
The other two suspects were arrested in the capital Malé City during a controlled delivery operation conducted jointly by the police Counter Narcotics Intelligence and Drug Enforcement Department (DED).
While inspecting an air freight shipment brought to the Maldives from Bangkok on October 31, customs officials carried out further inspections following suspicions that drugs were concealed in the shipment.
Upon further inspection, customs officials uncovered suspected narcotics.
In the initial analysis, two different types of drugs, namely Cathinone in 416 grams and 5,520 grams of Cannabis were found.
The confiscated narcotics carry a street value of MVR 3,348,000.
Upon being presented to the Criminal Court for their remand hearing in connection with the drug bust, Naseer was remanded for five days, Aiham was remanded for 10 days and the Bangladeshi national was given seven days behind bars.
Further investigations are currently underway in connection with the case.
