Two individuals have been detained regarding an effort to transport hashish oil to the Maldives via the ocean.

On Thursday, customs confiscated 36.4 kilograms of hashish oil at the Male' Commercial Harbour. The confiscated drugs are valued at over MVR 29 million on the street.

The police confirmed on Sunday that two individuals were apprehended after the confiscation. The individuals are Visham Mohamed, 35, from Male', and Hassan Mafaz, 26, hailing from M. Muli.

Police reported that the arrests occurred during an operation initiated after Customs transferred the drugs, which were hidden within imported items. The two suspects were brought before the court and held in custody for 15 days.

Authorities stated that the matter is still being examined.

Officials indicate that maritime drug smuggling efforts are increasing, and air-based attempts to transport drugs remain frequent as well. In recent months, multiple shipments of this kind have been intercepted by customs.

On December 3 of the previous year, the Supreme Court unanimously sanctioned the death penalty for individuals involved in drug trafficking. Three days later, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu signed the amendment into law.

Under the updated legislation, starting in March, bringing in over 500 grams of substances categorized under Schedule One of the Act will incur a death penalty. Schedule One comprises banned substances and their derivatives.