One of two individuals who arrived on a motorcycle to collect drug-laden luggage has escaped during a police controlled delivery operation targeting a drug smuggling attempt.
According to information obtained by Adhadhu, the operation followed the discovery of eight kilograms of hashish oil smuggled into the Maldives by air. Five individuals have been arrested in connection with the case, including two Indian nationals and three Maldivians.
The Indian nationals are a man and a woman who allegedly arrived with the luggage containing the narcotics. Among the Maldivians is the individual who was driving the motorcycle used to collect the baggage. The remaining two locals were arrested on suspicion of involvement after communicating with those who came to receive the shipment.
Customs officers discovered the drugs during a routine inspection after X-ray scans of the luggage brought by the two Indian nationals revealed suspicious items. The narcotics were concealed within a "false bottom" of the suitcase, a common tactic employed by drug traffickers.
Court remand orders state that the two Indian suspects told officers at the scene they transported the items after an individual identified as "Bhai" promised them payment. The eight packets found in the luggage weighed a total of 8.49 kilograms.
All suspects arrested in connection with the case have denied the allegations against them.
Police have not yet responded to inquiries regarding the identity or status of the individual who fled the scene; therefore, it remains unclear whether any further arrests have been made.
According to statistics released by Customs, approximately 28 kilograms of narcotics have been seized at Velana International Airport so far this year.
