Passenger Arrested with 1,180 Grams of Cocaine in 66 Swallowed Bullets at Velana International Airport Worth MVR 2.9 Million

Maldives Customs has arrested a passenger attempting to smuggle narcotics through Velana International Airport. Officials confirmed the suspect had swallowed 66 bullets containing 1,180 grams of cocaine, which were detected during routine screening.

Customs officials stated that the seized narcotics carry an estimated street value of MVR 2.9 million. The interception marks a significant case for airport authorities, who continue to face increasingly sophisticated smuggling methods.

This latest case adds to a series of major narcotics seizures at Velana International Airport earlier this year. On March 2026, Customs intercepted 2.2 kilograms of heroin smuggled into the country by air. The drugs were recovered from a traveller arriving in the Maldives, and laboratory analysis later confirmed the substance as heroin. The haul carried an estimated street value of MVR 2.2 million.

On April 1, 2026, during routine inspections of inbound passengers and cargo, Customs seized more than 2.1 kilograms of illegal substances. The interception further highlighted the effectiveness of surveillance measures at the airport.

Together, these cases underscore the continued vigilance of Maldives Customs in combating narcotics trafficking and safeguarding the nation’s borders.