Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusan has stated that 1.3 tons of drugs worth MVR 1.5 billion have been seized over the past three and a half years, and investigations are currently underway into 24 drug trafficking networks across the entire Maldives.

Speaking at the "Ahaa" public forum last night, the Minister noted that to resolve this issue—which has persisted for some forty years—the government has initiated a two-pronged approach. One is providing treatment to victims of drug abuse to reduce demand, while the second is halting the entry of drugs into the country and reducing supply.

Highlighting the success achieved through joint efforts by the Maldives Police Service and Customs, the Minister pointed out that the quantity of drugs seized over the past three and a half years is a record figure compared to the first three years of previous governments.

Ihusan stated that this administration's vision is not merely to jail individuals possessing drugs, but to completely dismantle the major networks that import and distribute them.

He added that the target is to forfeit the profits and assets acquired by these networks to the state. The Minister emphasized that there will no longer be any room in the Maldives for illicit businesses operated by selling drugs and plunging citizens into hardship.

The Minister noted that out of the 24 networks currently under investigation, investigations into three cases have been concluded and are now in the court stage. In connection with these cases, MVR 3.6 million and 145,000 US dollars in cash, alongside various other assets, have been confiscated by the state, Ihusan said.

Minister Ihusan further stated that under current laws, members of these criminal networks will be imprisoned and their assets successfully seized by the state.