Four Bangladeshi nationals have been arrested in a joint operation by the Maldives Police Service and Maldives Customs Service for allegedly attempting to traffic 6.75 kilograms of narcotics discovered in air cargo.
The suspects have been identified as MD Jihad Bin Areef (20), MD Mizannur Rahman (41), Mirza Al Ameen (30), and MD Arman Ali (21).
According to the police, the seizure followed a tip-off received by Customs regarding suspicious items in a shipment arriving by air. The controlled delivery operation involved the Drug Enforcement Department and Counter-Narcotics Intelligence.
Following their appearance in court, MD Mizannur Rahman was remanded in custody until the conclusion of his trial. The remaining three suspects were remanded for a period of 15 days.
The seized substances were identified as synthetic cathinones, a drug commonly referred to in the Maldives as "Meow" or "Meow Meow."
This synthetic drug is known to cause severe brain damage and poses health risks. Authorities noted a surge in the use and attempted importation of this particular substance into the country.
In a separate incident yesterday, police also arrested a Maldivian national on suspicion of smuggling and trafficking narcotics concealed within his body.
The suspect, identified as Ahmed Naseer (62) from Vaavu Fulidhoo, was found to have ingested 19 "bullets" containing a total of 427 grams of drugs. While the type of narcotic was not disclosed, the court has ordered him to be remanded in custody until the conclusion of his trial.
