Holiday drug busts result in multiple arrests

Maldives Police Service conducted a recent string of raids on drug hubs around Hulhumale' and capital city Male' area as the Eid holiday commenced, resulting in the seizure of drugs and arrests of multiple perpetrators.

On Tuesday, Police conducted an early morning raid around 0300 hours at a house in Hulhumale. The operation resulted in the seizure of three kilograms of drugs and the arrests of a local male aged 25 and a female aged 52.

However, the two were released by the Criminal Court under section 12, chapter 32 of the Criminal Procedure Code which mandates that in order to issue a court order, the document must include the judge's name, signature and the seal of stamp.

According to local news Mihaaru, the two were released following an alleged failure of the Hulhumale' court to provide the name of the judge, thereby invalidating the arrest warrant.

Prior to the holidays, Police on Monday arrested 11 people in an operation on a drug hub used for large scale sale and use.

After receiving a tip, Police searched a house named Everest, located in Maafannu ward. The house was previously raided multiple times by authorities, as it is noted as a hub for drug distribution.

Police revealed that a total of eight local males between the ages of 23 - 36 and three expats from Bangladesh between the ages of 25 - 33 in the 'Everest' operation.

In addition, the authority reported uncovering and seizing of rubber packets and papers suspected to be paraphernalia or used to store drugs.

Police stated that in the forced entry, mechanically locked doors were broken to search the premises. It was also noted that Police broke through a wall to penetrate the building.

The protective authority previously stated that organized drug activity is on the rise, stating that in recent weeks Police halted as many as four houses discovered to be used as drug hubs around capital city Male' area.

According to Police statistics, between the months of January to April 2019, a total of 345 people were arrested for being under the influence of drugs while 77 people were arrested for illegal possession of alcohol as well as 111 drug traffickers and 394 drug peddlers.