The Maldives Customs Service has seized 395 grams of cocaine worth approximately MVR 987,500.

The discovery was made during a routine inspection, with preliminary tests confirming the substance as cocaine. A Maldivian male suspect has been arrested in connection with the case and handed over to the Maldives Police Service for further investigation.

In a separate incident on November 12, Customs confiscated 3.3 kilograms of drugs smuggled by sea. The contraband, intercepted at Malé Commercial Port, included 2,282 grams of cannabis and 1,038 grams of cathinone.

Authorities noted a sharp increase in drug-related seizures in recent months. In October, Customs intercepted 5.9 kilograms of drugs, also shipments of cannabis and cathinone, smuggled into the country by sea.

These seizures follow a major operation on 24 November, where security forces confiscated 468.6 kilograms of drugs with an estimated street value of MVR 1 billion.