Two individuals have been detained on suspicion of attempting to smuggle narcotics into the Maldives using a courier service.

The suspects have been identified as 34-year-old Shamoon Naseer of H. Nibooge, Malé, and 32-year-old Abdulla Yaameen of G. Maavaage, Malé.

Their arrests followed an operation launched after Maldives Customs Service intercepted a courier shipment containing more than one kilogram of suspected narcotics and referred the case to the police.

Both men were taken into custody on 29 March and later presented before the court for a remand hearing.

The court ordered Shamoon Naseer to be held in custody for five days, while Abdulla Yaameen was remanded for 15 days.

Police have stated that the investigation into the alleged smuggling operation is ongoing.