Ihusan: Flats utilized as dens for gang and drug crimes to be seized to state

Home Minister Ihusan Ali has warned that places utilized as dens for gang and drug-related crimes will be seized to the state even if it requires amending the law.

A person held hostage inside a flat in Hiyaa Tower 9 at Hulhumale’ Phase II was rescued by the Police last night based on a tip received to intelligence and the suspects were apprehended.

Speaking to the press regarding the incident, Minister Ihusan said authorities have observed certain flats and other places as repeated places of crimes.

“We will speak with the owners of the such places. If such issues are repetitively identified, we will act to seize such places back to the state if possible by the law or in any other way possible to resolve it,” he said.

In this trajectory, the Minister said efforts to engage in discussions with owners of such flats will commence in collaboration with Housing Development Corporation (HDC) today itself. He noted that authorities will explore legal avenues to seize such places to state if the issues go unresolved and these locations remain left open for criminal activity following these discussions. In particular, the Minister cited seeking legal avenues to seize places being used as drug dens as a goal of the current administration.

He detailed this as an amendment that is already included among the planned amendments to the Anti-Gang Crimes Act and Drug Act.

Minister Ihusan stressed that the safety and security of Maldivian citizens is highly important to the current administration. Henceforth, he said law enforcement will take the strictest action possible by law against criminals, especially if it involves the kidnapping or hostage of a Maldivian citizen.

“I urge individuals who have formed gangs in violation of the law and regulations and are committing crimes to stop this immediately,” he said, while advising individuals in gangs to choose the right road and become useful youths for the nation instead of being faced with prison.

The Minister affirmed Maldives Police Service’s commitment to providing services 24 hours. He also revealed plans to take additional measures to maintain safety and security at Hiyaa flat area as a large Maldivian population resides at the location. In this regard, he said CCTV cameras are being installed to pave way for the Police to easily monitor the area.

Police have not disclosed any further information regarding the hostage situation at the flat in Hiyaa Tower 9 including how many people were arrested.

Rumors on social media claim that the victim’s head was shaven and that the suspects were preparing to inflict serious injuries on the victim.