Maldives Customs Service has seized more than eight kilogrammes of hash oil with an estimated street value exceeding MVR 6 million in an operation conducted at Velana International Airport (VIA).

Customs said officers recovered 8,490 grammes of hash oil during a special operation carried out on Tuesday. The suspect linked to the smuggling attempt has been handed over to Maldives Police Service for further investigation, although authorities have not disclosed the origin of the shipment.

The seizure is among the largest drug interceptions made in recent months. It follows a number of major drug busts by Customs, including the seizure of 40 kilogrammes of hash oil concealed in bottles labelled as chocolate syrup last year and 941 grammes of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of MVR 1.8 million seized last month.