Maldives Police Service (MPS) has made a number of arrests during drug busts across several different regions of the island nation.
Five arrests were made through three separate operations in Shaviyani atoll and another was arrested from Noonu atoll.
As such, following a tip-off to the Police Intelligence Unit that an individual was smuggling and trafficking drugs in Bilehfahi island island of Shaviyani atoll, Funadhoo Police Station and police intel, conducted an operation on Monday through which a 27-year-old Maldivian man was arrested.
During the court-ordered arrest, police confiscated three rubber packets filled with suspected narcotics.
During another operation conducted on Sunday night, officers stationed in Foakaidhoo island of the same atoll arrested two Maldivian men, aged 22 and 32 respectively.
The arrest was provoked by a tip off that individuals on the island were producing alcohol.
Upon raiding the house from where the two were arrested, a large pot filled with suspected alcohol and equipment used to produce alcohol were confiscated.
Further, following a tip off that drugs were being smuggled into Funadhoo island through a boat en route from capital Malé City, officers raided the boat and confiscated a large rubber packet filled with suspected narcotics on Sunday.
Another pair of Maldivian men, 22 and 32 were arrested in connection to the case.
All three cases are being investigated by the authority.
In addition, officers stationed in Manadhoo island of Noonu atoll and police intel conducted an operation through which a 31-year-old Bangladeshi man was arrested, on June 27.
Miladhoo Magistrate Court has since remanded the man by 15 days, at a facility decided by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Officers found a large rubber packet and film cannister filled with suspected narcotics, upon searching the man.
Manadhoo Police Station is investigating the case.
In a separate operation, Gan Police Station and police intel confiscated narcotics from the island and took it under police custody on Sunday.
The operation was conducted near a house and two film cannisters filled with suspected narcotics were confiscated.
Police have revealed that no arrests have been made in connection to the case.
The case is under further investigation, by the Gan Police Station.
These operations are being conducted by the authority in its efforts to curb drug trafficking and smuggling in the Maldives.
