Heroin valued at MVR 5 million seized by customs

Maldives Customs has seized heroin valued at MVR 5 million that was attempted to be smuggled into the Maldives via an air cargo shipment.

Customs said they searched an air cargo shipment brought to Maldives from Dubai last Monday upon suspicions of the shipment containing concealed drugs.

They detailed that seven packages were found during their search – out of which items inside two packages contained substances suspected to be drugs.

When tested, Customs said the substance came back positive for heroin.

They added that the drugs weighed 4.030 kilograms in total and estimated their street value at MVR 5 million.

Customs said the drugs have now been handed over to Maldives Police Service for further investigation.

The authority had seized 2.2 kilos of drugs attempted to be smuggled into the Maldives via courier on September 23^rd.

On August 4^th, Customs seized 490 grams of cannabis attempted to be smuggled courier as well.

Maldives has recently seen an increase in attempts to smuggle drugs via post.