Maldives Police Service (MPS) has arrested a suspect of drug smuggling and trafficking from an island in Baa atoll.

The police institution revealed that arrested was a 35-year-old Maldivian man.

The operation in Thulhaadhoo island of Baa atoll stemmed from an intelligence report and officers stationed in the island as well as in Eydhafushi island collaborated with intel officers to raid the suspect’s house on Wednesday.

Officers confiscated 53 cellophane pieces and an empty film cannister stuffed with suspected narcotics during the operation.

In another operation conducted the same day, officers stationed at Dhangethi island of Alif Dhaal atoll and intel officers raided a supply boat that docked in the island. Also triggered by an intel report, the operation saw officers confiscate 161 rubber packets filled with suspected narcotics, from the vessel that travelled to Dhangethi from capital Malé City.

No arrests have been made in connection to the drug bust in Dhangethi island thus far, however, the police institution revealed that both cases are under further investigation.

This is part of the police institution’s wider efforts to crack down on major drug networks in order to curb drug trafficking and smuggling across the country, MPS reaffirmed that such operations will continue across the archipelago nation in the future as well.