The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has revealed that 158kg of drugs have been confiscated in the past eight months. The MPS released data highlighting the activities of the Drug Enforcement Unit for the year so far.
The latest statistics show that 158.8kg of drugs and 5,252 bottles of liquor were seized as of August 31. The total value of these confiscated items stands at USD 18 million. The Drug Enforcement Unit has conducted 113 operations this year, searching 8,554 individuals and arresting 712 individuals, including 80 foreigners, who were handed over to Maldives Immigration. Of the 475 cases received by the unit over the past eight months, 230 were forwarded to the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO).
Statistics on gang crime enforcement were also shared. In the first eight months of the year, 12,253 individuals were questioned, including 2,583 adults and 331 minors under the age of 18, who were questioned 2,014 times. A total of 67 individuals were arrested in gang-related crimes, with 30 released, 22 in police custody, and 15 in remand. Of the 22 gang crime cases reported during this period, eight were forwarded to the PGO for prosecution.
The government is currently working to address drug and gang-related issues in the Maldives and is in the process of amending relevant laws to strengthen prevention efforts.