Gang crackdown deepens: 576 raids, 6 vehicles seized

Police raided 576 locations and towed six vehicles over the weekend as part of an intensified crackdown on gang activity in Male' and Hulhumale'.  

The Gang Crime Suppression Department conducted the raids within a 48-hour period, according to statistics released Saturday. Officers also carried out 108 interactions and searched 30 vehicles, six of which were towed. Police did not disclose the reasons for the seizures.  

The operation included 912 minutes, roughly 15 hours, of foot patrols across various areas of the capital.  

No arrests were reported, and police have not confirmed whether any suspects were taken into custody during the operation.  

The crackdown follows the enactment of tougher laws against gang-related crime, granting police expanded powers.  

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, speaking at a rally marking his administration’s two-year anniversary on November 17, claimed that gang crime has ceased and that former gang members have returned to “normal life.”  

“The Home Minister was very happy and said there are no more gangs. They sent a list to the prosecutor, the prosecutor said there is no gang that meets the classification now. All the former members of these gangs stopped their criminal activity. These youth, they have returned to normal lives now, and are even in business,” said President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.