The Maldives Police Service has arrested five individuals at Velana International Airport (VIA) in connection with the smuggling of more than 8 kilograms of narcotics into the country.

According to official reports, the suspects were intercepted by the Maldives Customs Service on June 9 and subsequently handed over to the police. The group consists of two Indian nationals and three Maldivians. The foreign suspects were identified as Mohamed Musthak Jamal, 29, and Sirajudeen Rasheetha, 26. The Maldivian nationals involved are Ahmed Afrah, 33, Ilyas Ahmed, 42, and Hassan Sham’oon, 36.

Authorities have accused the group of importing, trafficking, and selling narcotics within the Maldives. Upon being presented to the court for a remand hearing, all five suspects were ordered to be detained in custody for 15 days as the investigation proceeds.

The Maldives Police Service is currently conducting further inquiries to uncover the extent of the smuggling operation and identify any potential associates.