More than 30 kilograms of suspected drugs have been seized from a shipment that arrived at the Male' Commercial Harbour.
Customs said the items were discovered during an inspection of goods brought in by sea on Thursday. Initial tests showed the substance to be hashish oil.
The seized items weigh 36.4 kilograms and have an estimated street value of more than MVR 29 million, according to Customs. The authority has not yet confirmed whether any arrests have been made in connection with the case.
While drugs are occasionally smuggled into the Maldives by sea, most cases involve air transport. Customs has intercepted several such attempts in recent years.
On December 3 last year, the Supreme Court unanimously approved the death penalty for drug traffickers. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu endorsed the ruling three days later.
Under current law, importing more than 500 grams of a Schedule One drug carries the death penalty. Schedule One lists prohibited drugs and their derivatives, while Schedule Two includes medicinal drugs and their derivatives. Schedule Three covers devices, materials and chemicals used in drug production.
The Narcotics Act also prescribes life imprisonment or a fine between MVR 100,000 and MVR 10 million for drug trafficking.
Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusaan has previously stated that there will be no mercy or exceptions for drug traffickers. However, some political figures, including former President Abdulla Yameen and former Home Minister Umar Naseer, have questioned the application of the death penalty in such cases.