After you get your bag you’ll walk through the Customs line where you are asked to declare any commercial goods or prohibited items. Alcohol is strictly forbidden in the airport and if they find alcohol in your bags they will take it away from you. I’ve heard that they will give it back to you when you leave, but I’m not sure how that works, or if it really happens.
They do NOT x-ray or hand-search each suitcase or piece of hand luggage, so a person could potentially get away with bringing in alcohol. Also, I believe even if they find it, there is no fine so it’s just that they take it away from you. Still, the Maldives is a fairly strict Muslim country, and it would be very disrespectful to begin your holiday by smuggling illegal alcohol in.
There is no duty-free alcohol at the airport, and in fact the only alcohol available in the area is at the Hulhule Island Hotel (close to the airport). The good news for drinkers is that almost every private-island resort is awash in alcohol, though at a higher price than you may be used to, and about 20 Maldives resorts offer all-inclusive plans.
You are also prohibited from bringing in any pork products, just in case you were thinking about bringing a slab of bacon or some sausages.