Three individuals have been apprehended at Velana International Airport (VIA) on suspicion of smuggling over six kilograms of illicit drugs into the Maldives.

The Maldives Police Service stated today that the suspects arrested in this case are Ali Irufaan (28) of Hithilaage, GDh. Gadhdhoo, and two Indian nationals identified as Dhanushkandhan Gopal (19) and Kathirivel Manimaran (21).

According to the police, the trio was initially detained by Maldives Customs Service upon suspicion of importing narcotics and subsequently handed over to the police.

The arrests were made on the 3rd of this month on charges of importing, possessing, and trafficking illicit drugs. Following their production in court for a remand hearing, the court ordered Ali Irufaan to be detained until the conclusion of his trial, while the two Indian nationals were remanded in custody for a period of five days.

The police confirmed that a thorough investigation into the matter is currently underway.