A 35-year-old Bangladeshi national has been arrested following an attempt to receive a narcotics shipment at Velana International Airport.

According to police, the man was taken into custody after authorities intercepted 18.62 kilograms of cannabinoids concealed in an air cargo shipment that arrived from Bengaluru, India.

The arrest took place following a special operation conducted on June 10.

Maldives Customs reported that the seized drugs have an estimated street value of MVR 26 million.

The interception was part of heightened border control measures aimed at curbing drug trafficking into the country.

Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusan praised the swift action of the Customs team in a post on X, noting that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has issued special directives to strengthen border security as part of broader efforts to combat drug abuse in the Maldives.