The Maldives Customs Service has seized more than 3.6 kilograms of synthetic cathinone that was being smuggled into the Maldives through the postal service.

Customs said the drugs were intercepted on 18 June during an inspection of a package arriving in the country by post.

The seized drugs have an estimated street value of more than MVR 5 million.

The authority said the package was detected and confiscated as part of ongoing efforts to prevent the import of illegal substances into the Maldives.

In addition to narcotics, Customs regularly intercepts other prohibited and restricted items smuggled into the country through air, sea, postal and courier services, including illicit cigarettes and vape-related products.