The Maldives Police Service has announced the seizure of 29.6 kilograms of narcotics during a major anti-drug operation conducted throughout November. The details were revealed at a press briefing held today at Iskandar Koshi Multipurpose Hall.
Chief Inspector Ahmed Naif confirmed that the operation, which began on 1 November, involved raids across 105 locations. A total of 119 individuals were apprehended, with 61 testing positive for drug use. Of those detained, 38 were presented in court for remand extension based on their criminal records and the quantity of drugs recovered.
Naif explained that suspects were prioritised for court appearances if drugs were found in their possession or if there was a risk of witness tampering. “These are individuals who posed a threat to public safety and had the potential to influence testimonies,” he said, noting that some detainees were later released after initial questioning.
As part of the crackdown, police arrested 16 people from Gaafu Dhaalu and Gaafu Alifu atolls on suspicion of drug trafficking. Intelligence reports indicated that the group was smuggling drugs into the country by sea. Authorities seized 12 kilograms of narcotics from the suspects.
The operation, codenamed Alimagu, remains ongoing. Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan praised the initiative, calling it “a strong step towards halting the drug trade” and emphasising that efforts will continue until trafficking networks are dismantled.
In a related development, police confirmed they are investigating the case of a Sri Lankan fishing vessel intercepted in Maldivian waters earlier this month. The boat, Avishka Putha, was seized on November 7 after it illegally entered the Maldivian Exclusive Economic Zone. Assisted by military drones and intelligence from the Sri Lankan Navy, authorities discovered 24 sacks of narcotics weighing 355.9 kilograms—comprising 58.6 kilograms of suspected heroin and 297.3 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine.
Five Sri Lankan nationals, aged between 28 and 63, were arrested during the operation. A special team from Sri Lanka has since arrived in the Maldives to assist with the investigation. Naif indicated that further questioning and additional operations may be required but declined to provide further details at this stage.
