Customs seizes over 2kg of synthetic cathinone worth MVR 3.9m at Velana International Airport

109 grams of drugs being smuggled via air was confiscated by Maldives Customs on January 9th, 2025. (File Photo)

The Maldives Customs Service has successfully executed a significant seizure of illicit drugs at Velana International Airport. During an operation on March 4, 2026, officers intercepted over two kilograms of synthetic cathinone, a substance with a high potential for abuse. The estimated street value of this haul is MVR 3.9 million. This incident, occurring alongside a separate large-scale seizure just one week prior, highlights the increased vigilance of Maldivian authorities in monitoring international arrivals and protecting the local population from the influx of dangerous synthetic narcotics.

Maldives Customs Service seized over 2 kilograms of synthetic cathinone at Velana International Airport on March 4, 2026.
The street value of the intercepted contraband is estimated at MVR 3.9 million.
This enforcement action follows a recent major seizure of 11 kilograms of illicit substances worth MVR 9.6 million.
The frequency of these seizures indicates a rising trend in the attempted smuggling of mephedrone-type substances into the country.

Maldives Customs Service has seized drugs worth MVR 3.9 million that were being smuggled into the country by air.

Customs said the seizure was made on the 4th of this month at Velana International Airport, where officers intercepted more than two kilograms of synthetic cathinone.

The street value of the drugs is estimated at over MVR 3.9 million.

This comes just a week after Customs seized more than 11 kilograms of drugs smuggled by air, valued at MVR 9.6 million.

Authorities say abuse of synthetic cathinone, including mephedrone‑type substances, has become increasingly widespread in the Maldives in recent years.

By Azhaar Abdul Azeez

Writer