President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated drug networks and organised crimes are threats to national security. He made the statement while speaking at the ceremony held to mark the 89th anniversary of the police service in the Maldives.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Solih said the connection between drug networks and organised crimes is one of the biggest challenges to the peace and harmony in the country and that it was a matter of great concern to the citizens as well. The president noted that special task forces are being formed to tackle the situation and that positive changes will soon be visible.
Furthermore, President Solih thanked police officers for their hard work in hindering and obstructing criminal activities in the country. He also thanked MPS, Maldives Customs Service, the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), and neighbouring countries for working together to stop the drug trade in the region.
MPS has seized large amounts of drugs that were being trafficked via air and sea in multiple operations over the last few months, and statistics show the police service has seized a total of 1.3 tonnes of narcotics in the past three years. The lack of action taken against those involved in the drug trafficking networks has been a longstanding issue of public concern. However, MPS and the Ministry of Home Affairs have affirmed that 2022 will be a significant year in the national fight against drug trafficking.