There is a 43 percent hike in the amount of seized drugs so far this year compared to the same period in 2017, Maldives Customs Service revealed Tuesday.
Speaking at a press conference held at Customs headquarters in capital Male, Chief Superintendent Ismail Hamdhoon declared that 23 kilograms of drugs were seized in 54 smuggling cases this year, including Cannabis (9.4 kg), Heroin (8.9 kg), and Hashish (1.8 kg).
"This is an increase of 43 percent compared to last year, but this is not a cause for joy," said Hamdhoon. "We want to lower this number."
Hamdhoon also noted that cases involving 'party drugs' are also on the rise.
"The danger of [party drugs] is that these are a combination of various substances. They pose more harm than other, more common drugs."
Commissioner General of Customs Mohamed Junaid added, "[Drug smuggling] is not something new to Maldives and it's not something that can be entirely eradicated. But it can be minimised."
Junaid stated that Customs was relentlessly working to prevent smuggling of illegal drugs into Maldives. However he noted that the island nation still did not possess the latest facilities and equipment to do so.
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