DED: Increase in sightings of youngsters in drug-induced states not a result of a new drug

The police say the increase in sightings of young men and women in drug-induced states in the streets are not a result of a new and powerful drug.

There has recently been an increase in sightings of young men and women in drug-induced states in the streets of the capital, Male’ City. This increase had led to wide-spread alarm, and rumors of possible abuse of a new drug.

Head of Drug Enforcement Department, Superintendent of Police Ahmed Shakir, in an interview to Sun following the conclusion of a large-scale crackdown on drug trafficking in Male’ on Thursday, said that the DED’s investigation has found no evidence of a new drug being trafficked in Maldives.

“We have found no evidence of this so far. We have even tested some of them to see if there’s a new type of drug in circulation or whether they are abusing [a new drug]. But we haven’t made any findings to indicate this,” said Shakir.

The DED, in a large-scale crackdown of drug trafficking in Male’ from December 5-18, raided five high-security residences which it said were providing “café-style services” to drug abusers. The five residences had offered services from sale of drugs to seats and tables where drug abusers can consume their drugs. There were writings on the walls instructing “customers” to quickly consume their purchase and leave the premises.

Shakir said that it was possible that the young men and women found in drug-induces states in the streets had purchased and consumed drugs from the five drug hubs, but that he was unable to confirm a direct link at this time.

The police had arrested 37 suspects in its raids.

Eight of the suspects had been arrested from M. Lonumidhilige – which the DED had hit the last. The DED, in addition to finding drugs, drug paraphernalia and approximately MVR 50,000 in cash from Lonumidhilige. Two of the suspects have been released from custody, two suspects – both minors – have been transferred to house arrest, and the remaining four suspects have been remanded to jail.