A man who was recently declared missing has been arrested on suspicion of attempting to smuggle drugs into the Maldives.

Abdulla Shihad, 37, from Noonu Manadhoo, was taken into custody on Saturday in connection with a drug trafficking case. He was later presented before the Criminal Court, which ordered him to be remanded in custody for 10 days.

The court stated that while some evidence had been presented against Shihad, it was considered weak. He is suspected of both drug trafficking and peddling.

Shihad had previously been reported missing by the Maldives Police Service. According to police, he had not been in contact with his family since 4:51 p.m. on March 8, and the missing persons report was filed at approximately 8:05 p.m. on March 10. At the time, authorities noted that he was a resident of Malé City and that his phone was unreachable.

The Criminal Court did not disclose whether Shihad was arrested upon re-entering the country or while already in the Maldives.