In a high-stakes late-night operation, Maldives Customs authorities intercepted a shipment containing 18 kilograms of illicit drugs, thwarting a major smuggling attempt into the country. The seized narcotics carry an estimated street value of MVR 26 million, marking a significant blow to trafficking networks.
Home Minister Ihusaan’s X post regarding the seizure, praised the Customs team for their “valuable and hard work,” crediting their efforts in upholding the President’s special directives to secure the nation’s borders. He emphasized that the favorable conditions once exploited by smugglers are being dismantled, and praised law enforcement for “closing in” on offenders.
“As part of the efforts to completely free the Maldives from drugs… The environment that was favorable for drug traffickers is being eliminated, and the law is catching up with those individuals” said Minister Ihusaan.
Operating under the President’s clear instructions, Customs officers executed the operation with precision, effectively neutralizing what Minister Ihusaan described as a serious threat to national security and social welfare.
ކަސްޓަމްސް @CustomsMv އިން މިރޭ ހިންގި ޚާއްސަ އޮޕަރޭޝަނެއްގައިވަނީ 18 ކިލޯގްރާމްގެ މަސްތުވާތަކެތި ރާއްޖެ އެތެރެކުރަން އުޅެނިކޮށް އަތުލައިގަނެފައި. މިތަކެތީގެ މަގުމަތީގެ އަގަކީ ގާތްގަނޑަކަށް 26 މިލިއަން ދިވެހި ރުފިޔާ. ދިވެހިރާއްޖެ މަސްތުވާތަކެތިން އެއްކޮށް ސަލާމަތްކުރުމަށް ކުރެވޭ… pic.twitter.com/TOh9QKOhms
— Minister of Homeland Security & Technology (@min_mohst) June 10, 2025
This latest bust highlights the government’s steadfast commitment to achieving a drug-free Maldives. By combining intelligence-led operations with enhanced border surveillance, officials hope to prevent future smuggling attempts and send a powerful message to criminals: our borders are secure, and trafficking will not go unchallenged.
Behind the Headlines
Operation timing: Conducted overnight, capitalizing on heightened alert levels.
Key figures: 18 kg seized, MVR 26 million street value.
Strategic context: Direct response to presidential guidance to reinforce national security.
Institutional acclaim: Customs officers commended for vigilance and professionalism.
What This Means for the Maldives
This seizure is more than just a headline—it underscores a systematic, government-wide push to eliminate narcotics from Maldivian territory. By praising Customs and citing presidential leadership, Home Minister Ihusaan is sending a bold message: no smuggler will slip through, and every illicit gram intercepted inches the country closer to a drug-free future.
