Malé, Maldives — India’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has issued an advisory to its citizens travelling to or visiting the Maldives, warning of stringent anti-drug laws and severe penalties for violations following recent legislative amendments.
In a statement, the NCB said amendments to the Maldives’ Drugs Act, which came into effect in March 2026, impose significantly harsher punishments for drug-related offences. These include long-term imprisonment, and in cases involving large-scale trafficking, the death penalty subject to confirmation by a competent court under Maldivian law. Authorities have also tightened penalties for possession of even small quantities of prohibited substances.
The advisory comes amid recent cases involving foreign nationals, including Indian citizens, being arrested in the Maldives for drug-related offences. The High Commission of India in Malé has also urged Indian nationals to strictly comply with local laws and regulations while in the country.
Indian authorities advised travellers not to carry any packages or items on behalf of others without verifying their contents, and to exercise extreme caution at airports, ports, and transit points when approached by unknown individuals requesting the transport of goods. Travellers were further instructed to maintain full control of their personal belongings at all times.
The advisory stressed that ignorance of the law is not considered a defence, warning that violations could result in severe legal consequences. Indian citizens were also encouraged to report any suspicious approaches or incidents to the MANAS National Narcotics Helpline (1933).
The NCB reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on drug trafficking and called on citizens to remain vigilant, responsible, and law-abiding while travelling abroad.
Available reports over recent years indicate that arrests of foreign nationals, including Indians, in drug-related cases in the Maldives have been recorded periodically, particularly at key entry points such as Velana International Airport. However, Maldivian authorities do not publicly release consolidated nationality-based arrest figures annually.
Law enforcement authorities in the Maldives have intensified monitoring and enforcement in recent years, reflecting broader efforts to combat drug trafficking and transnational crime in the Indian Ocean region.
