At Velana International Airport (VIA), Maldives Customs Service has confiscated 450 grams of cannabis that was smuggled into the nation via air.

Customs reported that the narcotics were discovered in the baggage of an Indian traveler who came to Maldives from India on the 5th of this month. The items were found in a search carried out based on suspicion that the traveler had drugs.

The seizure occurs days after Customs seized 800 vape cartridges on August 3. Last month, Customs apprehended a man for trying to smuggle drugs valued at MVR 2.9 million into the nation.

Officials report a notable rise in drug smuggling and trafficking in recent years, leading to several operations aimed at reducing the influx of narcotics into the Maldives. Customs and law enforcement persist in performing border patrols and intelligence-driven operations to stop drugs from entering the nation.

Maldives confronts significant obstacles in tackling drug-related problems, such as the challenge of shutting down smuggling pathways due to its geography and the insufficient capacity of rehabilitation facilities relative to the demand for treatment. Elevated rates of reoffending caused by insufficient social and economic assistance following treatment continue to be an issue.

The government and associated agencies are engaged in enhancing border security, revising legislation, and optimizing treatment systems to discover enduring solutions to the drug issue.