Maldives Customs Seize Hashish Oil worth MVR 30m Hidden in ‘Chocolate Syrup’
Maldives Customs has seized 40 kilograms of hashish oil concealed in bottles labeled as chocolate syrup, with an estimated street value of MVR 30 million.
The narcotics were intercepted on December 25 during an inspection of imported goods. Customs officials said the bottles, some branded as Chocoville Chocolate Syrup, were packed in boxes designed to resemble ordinary food shipments.
The seizure followed a special operation launched after officers noticed suspicious contents inside several syrup bottles. On-site testing confirmed that the samples tested positive for hashish oil in the first stage of analysis.
According to Customs, each bottle contained between 1.10 and 1.14 millilitres of hashish oil, with the total weight of the shipment amounting to 40 kilograms.
Hashish oil is a concentrated form of cannabis. In the Maldives, cannabis is classified as a Schedule One drug, and its importation is strictly prohibited. Under Maldivian law, importing more than 350 grams of cannabis carries the death penalty. The Narcotics Act also предусматривает life imprisonment or fines ranging from MVR 100,000 to MVR 10 million for drug smuggling offences.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the origin of the shipment or whether any arrests have been made, and investigations are ongoing.
Earlier this month, Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusaan reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy on drugs, warning that there would be no mercy or exceptions for traffickers.
