Maldives Customs Service has intercepted a shipment of suspected narcotics with an estimated street value of more than MVR 5 million that authorities say was being smuggled into the country through the postal system.

The seizure is a part of Customs' ongoing efforts to strengthen border security and prevent the illegal importation of narcotics into the Maldives.

According to Customs, the shipment was intercepted on June 18 during routine enforcement operations.

Preliminary analysis identified the seized substances as synthetic cathinones, a group of synthetic stimulant drugs.

The confiscated shipment weighed approximately 3.6 kilograms and is estimated to have a street value exceeding MVR 5 million.

Authorities have not released additional details about the investigation, including the country from which the package originated or whether any individuals have been arrested in connection with the attempted smuggling.

In line with standard legal procedures, the seized narcotics will be handed over to the Maldives Police Service, which will continue the investigation to determine the source of the shipment and identify those responsible.