Indian authorities have arrested three individuals attempting to smuggle drugs, worth MVR 26.7 million, into Maldives .

Trivandrum’s Excise Department on Friday arrested the three, native to Ernakulam. Authorities seized the 11.5 kilograms of hashish oil from a car in Venpalavattom district of Trivandrum.

Online news outlet, The New Indian Express cited that the hashish was to be delivered to a main agent in the city and the drug bust operation was carried out after being tipped off.

The Indian news outlet also reported that arrested were Manu Wilson, 31, Anwar Sadath, 31, and Rajmohan, 28. Out of the three, Wilson and Sadath were previously involved in similar cases.

While a sword was also discovered from the car, Indian authorities revealed that it was kept for “self-defense” in case the group delivering the hashish came under attack from “rival gangs” and that the group was paid Rs 100,000 for the job.

The New Indian Express also cited an officer of the Indian police saying that they felt it was heading towards Maldives and Sri Lanka via air and sea route. Authorities are to reveal further details after probing the case.

Sources in India reported that while the drugs were meant for the international market, earlier such cases saw the deliveries heading to Maldives as well.