Eight major drug smuggling networks identified: Minister Ihusaan

About eight major drug smuggling networks have been identified, and authorities are in the process of collecting evidence against these networks, revealed Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan yesterday.

Speaking with Mihaaru News, Minister Ihusaan said that drug smuggling can only be resolved by stopping those at the root of the problem. Recent efforts have led authorities to identify those key players, he added.

"We have now identified most of those who are at the root of drugs in Maldives. This is the result of seven months of our work. Now we're working on collecting evidence against them," he explained.

"Hopefully the drug supply issue will be resolved after the work of those at the root of the issue are stopped."

"...[t]here are about eight networks we are following in Maldives. We assure that this government with amend the laws and bring a permanent solution to this," Minister Ihusaan further detailed on the matter, adding that they hope to put an end to the drug issues in the country within a year.

He also noted that Police and customs have been working together to reduce the supply of drugs and that police have also been equipped with more resources. Action has also been taken against many places and the amount of drugs being seized has also increased, he said.

According to the Drugs Act of Maldives, a drug offender remand centre must be established. The former administration set up a centre for the cause in Gulhifalhu. However, due to issues with remand durations, use of the facility was stopped.

MInister Ihusaan said that some drug users have developed substance abuse disorders and that they will receive the treatment they need through demand reduction efforts.

He also said that since a lot of individuals involved in theft and robberies are also being transferred to the drug remand centre in Kaafu atoll Himmafushi from the streets of Malé, the issue will also be alleviated from the streets as well.

MInister Ihusaan estimates that around 10,000-15,000 of the country's population uses drugs.