An Indian man who travelled to Maldives via airplane has been caught in possession of 36 grams of illicit substances, by Maldives Customs.

Officials revealed that the 27-year-old, who travelled to Maldives on December 23, had displayed suspicious behavior at immigration which prompted Customs officers to check his luggage, leading to the discovery of illicit substances.

Customs proceeded to test the dried leaf-like components found in his luggage, which came back positive for cannabis during initial investigation.

While an additional substance was discovered in his luggage, Customs said this tested positive for a type of hash oil.

Officials further detailed that 36 grams of illicit substances had been taken into their possession from the Indian national, with the total street price of those substances amounting to roughly MVR 7,700.

The illicit substances confiscated in this case have now been turned over to the Maldives Police Service.