Two Nepalese individuals have been detained for 30 days due to accusations of trafficking drugs into Maldives by ingesting pellets.

The individuals, Nikka Tamang, 47, and Ethrani Gale, 40, were apprehended after law enforcement found 53 drug packages, totaling 650 grams, on them.

The matter was presented to the Criminal Court for a preliminary remand hearing, held in their absence, leading to a three-day remand. When the duo was subsequently brought before the court, Judge Abdullah Sabeeh directed that their remand be extended for an additional 30 days.

Both individuals are charged with importing drugs into the Maldives, a tactic that has been increasingly observed among international couriers in recent months.

Maldives has seen an increase in incidents with foreigners smuggling drugs within the country. In order to reduce these offenses, revisions to the Narcotics Act now permit the death penalty for trafficking specific amounts of drugs, contingent upon the agreement of Supreme Court justices.