The Iranian boat, which the police had attended to after being informed of a vessel in distress, has been suspected to be a drug smuggling vessel.

Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has announced that the boat has been seized, after the discovery of suspected narcotics.

Police had, early Sunday morning, received a report of a vessel in distress after its engine stopped, near Mandhoo island of Alif Dhaalu atoll. It immediately dispatched officers to the area, after informing the Coast Guard.

MNDF said that the boat was seized about 4.8 nautical miles west from Mandhoo island, at around 11:40am, in a joint operation conducted with the police.

Furthermore, MNDF noted that the officers that searched the vessel had discovered suspected narcotics onboard.

Authorities are conducting further checks on the boat.

While there were seven crew members onboard the vessel, it is not clear if they have been placed under arrest.

A vessel with the Iranian flag was captured while attempting to smuggle drugs into the country last month. The boat was intercepted approximately 172 miles northwest of Thuraakunu, Haa Alifu Atoll, along with local fishing vessel 'Hedhey Kuri 7', with 70kg of heroin.

The six Iranians aboard the boat are in police custody, along with locals involved in the dug operation. Their identities have since been revealed.