Narcotics worth MVR 282 million seized in last eight months

Authorities seized narcotics worth over 282 million in counter-narcotics operations over the last eight months, according to statistics released by the police on Sunday.

According to the statistics, the Drug Enforcement conducted 113 operations between January 1 and August 31.

The police searched 8,554 individuals and made 712 arrests. The police also transferred 80 foreign nationals arrested in operations to the custody of Maldives Immigration.

The police seized 158.85 kilos of drugs and 5,252 bottles of alcohol in the operations. The collective street value of the narcotics is estimated to be MVR 282,273,641.52.

Total 475 drug-related offenses were reported to the police during the period. The police completed investigations and forwarded 230 cases to the Prosecutor General’s Office for criminal charges.

Drug abuse is one of the biggest social issues facing the Maldives. People convicted of drug-related offenses make up for most of Maldives’ inmate population.

The Home Ministry recently drafted legislature to introduce the death penalty for trafficking more than 500 grams of drugs into the Maldives.