A 30-year-old Indian national has been apprehended for attempting to smuggle narcotics into the Maldives by concealing them inside his footwear. The Criminal Court identified the suspect as Suraj Karwar and has ordered his detention for a period of five days as investigations proceed.

According to the court order, the illicit substances were discovered hidden within a pair of tennis shoes found inside the suspect’s luggage. Authorities confirmed that two packets retrieved from the shoes tested positive for THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol).

This arrest comes amid a concerning rise in drug trafficking incidents involving foreign nationals. Notably, the Indian government recently issued a travel advisory for its citizens, highlighting the gravity of such offenses and the strict legal consequences within the Maldives.