The Maldives Customs Service has seized more than three kilograms of synthetic drugs in two attempts to smuggle narcotics through courier and postal services.
On 31 October, officers found 1,030 grams of synthetic cathinones in a courier package. On 29 October, another 2,123 grams of the same type of substance were intercepted in a postal shipment. The combined total is 3,153 grams.
In both cases, customs officers became suspicious during routine inspections and carried out more detailed searches that confirmed the presence of the drugs. The substances have been described as party drugs.
The seizures are part of ongoing efforts to stop narcotics entering the country through postal and courier channels. Customs has reported an increase in such attempts in recent years and continues to strengthen screening at entry points.
No arrests were immediately detailed in connection with these specific packages. The drugs have been handed over for further investigation by the police.
Synthetic cathinones are controlled substances under Maldivian law. Large-scale trafficking of certain drugs can attract severe penalties, including the death penalty under recent amendments to the Drugs Act.
