Maldives Customs Services have confiscated a total of 8.28 kilograms of drug from three separate screening incidents.
A Maldives local is involved in one of the cases according to authorities.
The first incident took place in July 18 when a Bangladeshi national originating from Dhaka was erratically behaving at Velana International Airport (VIA). Authorities moved to screen the individual's luggage and after inspection four parcel wrappings containing cannabis was discovered.
The herb-based narcotic substance found from the 30 year old Bangladeshi expat weighed around 5.46 kilograms.
The following day, July 19 authorities stopped a 23 year old Tanzanian woman traveling through Doha, Qatar to Maldives. Post careful inspection by local authorities, they discovered heroin from her luggage weighing 2.05 kilograms.
Earlier on July 15 a 31 year old Maldives local was stopped at airport security over unusual behavior. Authorities discovered 771 grams of heroin from the local's belongings.
Maldives Customs Services had since handed the confiscated narcotic substances and the apparent mules to Maldives Police Service for further probing.
Maldives Customs notes the number of Bangladeshi travelers carrying drugs have increased significantly over the past month leading to authorities strengthening screening procedure on travelers originating from the country.
