Maldives Customs Service has seized drugs worth MVR 12.3 million in an attempted smuggling.

The drugs were seized during a search of the luggage of a 44-year-old Malaysian man who arrived in the Maldives on EK Flight 656 at 7:40am on the 27th of this month, Customs Head of Intelligence Chief Superintendent Mohamed Afzal revealed during a press conference today.

"The items found in the luggage were tested positive for cannabis, and weighed 15.38 kg. The street value of the items are estimated at MVR 12.3 million," Afzal said.

Afzal said it was the largest amount of drugs ever smuggled into the Maldives by air.

He further revealed that attempts to deceive his travel route was made as a fake ticket was found in his possession. However, he had traveled to the Maldives having first gone to Dubai from Bangkok.

Narcotics Operations Chief Inspector of Police Ibrahim Imran said another 41-year-old Malaysian was also arrested in connection with the case and the two were remanded in custody for five days by the Criminal Court.

Imran also said that the investigation has so far identified the involvement of others in the case.