News Desk
Maldives Customs has seized 36.43 kilogrammes of hashish oil concealed in a shipment brought into Malé by sea, in what officials describe as the largest single drug seizure of the year so far.
In a statement posted today, the agency said officers recovered the suspected narcotics on Thursday during an inspection of goods arriving at the commercial port. Initial field tests confirmed the substance to be hashish oil.
Customs said the seized material — packed in thick, rubber‑wrapped packets, according to photographs released by the agency — carries an estimated street value of more than USD 1.9 million.
The consignment had reportedly been shipped from Sri Lanka.
The drugs have since been handed over to the Maldives Police Service for further investigation.
This latest seizure follows a major operation in December, when customs officers intercepted narcotics worth more than USD 1.9 million hidden inside bottles labelled as chocolate syrup. Two suspects were arrested in that case, and investigations remain ongoing.
