The Maldives government will soon introduce new legislation to amend the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, aiming to address gaps in the current law and curb gang-related crimes.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu announced this initiative in a post on X, highlighting the challenges faced by state agencies in combating drug abuse.

According to the President, the biggest obstacle in the fight against drugs is the loopholes in existing laws. He stated that amendments to the NDPS Act would be submitted to parliament this week after consultation with relevant state agencies. These changes aim to make it easier to investigate and prosecute drug-related cases effectively.

President Dr Muizzu also revealed plans to introduce a new bill within two weeks to replace the current Gang Crimes Prohibition Act. The proposed law will focus on addressing gang crimes, which are often closely linked to drug abuse, and provide stronger protections for the community.

He thanked the Maldivian people for their continued support in tackling these critical issues and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to finding long-term solutions to the challenges of drug abuse and gang violence.