Over 50 known drug dens in Male’; some located in govt. properties

Minister of Homeland and Technology Ali Ihusan states there are over 50 known “drug dens” in Male’ City, of which some are located in government properties.

The issue of drugs remains a prevalent issue in the Maldives.

Responding to a question posed by Parliament’s Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim during a meeting of the Committee on National Security Services (241 Committee) – Minister Ihusan said authorities have taken note of over 50 places being utilized as drug dens.

“Some of them a located in properties owned by the government and others in properties owned by private individuals. Most of them are vacant, or uninhabited,” he detailed.

Minister Ihusan said places utilized as drug dens have been identified by the Police, following which the authority has taken videos of the premises.

“As of present, we have sought permits to demolish three properties belonging to the government [as they have been transformed into drug dens],” the Minister added.

He also stressed that efforts were underway to seek permission from private individuals to shut down the drug dens based at the properties owned by them.

Nevertheless, Minister Ihusan cited the permanent solution for the issue as reducing the supply of drugs. He expressed hope for a permanent solution to reduce the supply of drugs with the cooperation of the parliament over the course of the next six months.

Police had conducted a series of operations during the former administration to shut down places identified as drug dens.

As part of these operations, Police raided places identified as drug dens and seized the properties. They also stationed officers to surveil the premises. 

The highest priority under the new strategic action plan of Maldives Police Service inaugurated recently is combatting drugs.