Northern region lacks resources to monitor vessels

Police in the northern Maldives say they lack sufficient resources to combat drug trafficking and other illegal activities involving foreign vessels operating in the area.

At a virtual press conference held today, Haa Alifu atoll Commander Hussain Shizleen said foreign vessels frequently pass through the northernmost part of the country, which has become a hotspot for drug smuggling. 

“We are very concerned about our lack of resources; the lack of adequate capabilities and staff,” Shizleen said.

“This year’s action plan includes further training and more anti-drug operations.”

He said while the region has seen successes in countering drug-related crime, manpower shortages remain a key challenge.

The Eight Degree Channel, an international maritime route, sees a high volume of vessels daily.

Authorities occasionally seize boats entering the Maldives’ Exclusive Economic Zone illegally; over 350 kilograms of drugs were recovered from a Sri Lankan fishing vessel in one such operation.

Haa Dhaalu Atoll Commander Ibrahim Zuhury said crime in the region has shown a decline, with 1,797 cases reported from January to the end of last month.