Over 30 kilograms of suspected narcotics were captured from a cargo that reached the Male' Commercial Harbour.

Customs reported that the items were found during an inspection of goods that arrived by sea on Thursday. Preliminary tests indicated that the material was hashish oil.

According to Customs, the confiscated items weigh 36.4 kilograms and have an approximate street value exceeding MVR 29 million. The authorities have not yet verified if any arrests have occurred related to the case.

Although drugs are sometimes transported into the Maldives by sea, the majority of incidents involve air travel. In recent years, Customs has thwarted multiple such efforts.

On December 3 of the previous year, the Supreme Court unanimously sanctioned the death penalty for those involved in drug trafficking. Three days later, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu approved the ruling.

According to existing legislation, the importation of over 500 grams of a Schedule One substance results in a death sentence. Schedule One enumerates banned substances and their derivatives, whereas Schedule Two consists of therapeutic drugs and their derivatives. Schedule Three includes the equipment, substances, and chemicals utilized in the manufacturing of drugs.

The Narcotics Act mandates life imprisonment or a fine ranging from MVR 100,000 to MVR 10 million for drug trafficking offenses.

Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusaan has declared that there will be no compassion or leniency for drug traffickers. Yet, certain political personalities, such as ex-President Abdulla Yameen and ex-Home Minister Umar Naseer, have raised concerns about the use of the death penalty in these situations.