The Maldives Police Service has shut down 11 establishments operating as drug cafés so far this year, as part of ongoing counter-narcotics efforts.
At a press conference, Chief Inspector of Police Fatih Mohamed, who heads Drug Enforcement’s Counter Narcotics Operations, said police have identified 50 drug-related locations in Malé City, including 30 linked to drug trafficking. While 11 locations have been closed, 20 others in Malé City remain under investigation.
From January 1 to December 20, police carried out 188 drug operations nationwide. During these operations, 137 expatriates were handed over to Maldives Immigration for deportation, and 301 individuals were referred to the National Drug Agency through the Drug Court for treatment and rehabilitation.
Police also conducted body checks on 1,624 people suspected of drug-related activities, with 997 taken into custody for further investigation.
