The Maldives Police Service seized 158 kg of drugs during the first eight months of the year, according to statistics released on Sunday.

Between 1 January and 31 August, police carried out 8,554 searches, leading to the arrest of 712 individuals, including 80 foreign nationals. The arrested foreign nationals have been handed over to immigration authorities, police confirmed.

The Drug Enforcement Department conducted 113 operations during this period, resulting in the confiscation of 158 kg of drugs and 5,252 bottles of liquor. Police estimate the street value of the seized items at MVR 282 million.

The unit received 475 cases in the past eight months, of which 230 were referred to the prosecutor general’s office for prosecution.