All arrested in Operation Alimagu are traffickers

Home Minister Ali Ihusan announced that all individuals arrested in a nationwide anti-drug operation, which began this morning under the directive of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, are involved in drug trafficking.

By midday, police reported the arrest of 92 individuals in the operation, codenamed "Alimagu," which started at 5:30 am. In response to a question from Mihaaru, Minister Ihusan affirmed that each person arrested is linked to drug trade.

"All of these individuals are involved in [drug] trafficking. They are dealers. There are no individuals in this group who are not involved in trafficking. They both use and traffic narcotics," the Minister stated.

He mentioned that the individuals arrested so far represent all tiers of the drug trade, including small, medium, and high-level traffickers.

"We are currently assessing the extent of their involvement. Based on the information gathered from these individuals, we are also identifying others connected to this matter," the Minister added.

President Muizzu previously stated that the operation would involve searching over 100 locations simultaneously and include more than 500 police officers. Police described it as the most extensive anti-narcotics operation in recent history.

"This operation will be conducted from Haa Alifu Atoll all the way down to Addu," Minister Ihusan stated.

He vowed that drug trafficking will no longer be tolerated in the Maldives, warning that those involved will find it "difficult to live in the Maldives" if they continue their activities.

In an interview with PSM, Ihusan called on those involved in drug dealing to stop immediately, asserting that the opportunity would no longer be available in the Maldives. He promised that the strongest legal measures available in the Maldives would be taken to stop the drug trade.

"Therefore, our plea is for the youth involved in this matter to stop and start engaging in other activities from today onwards. We will make it difficult for them to live in the Maldives if they continue with this work," the Minister warned.

The Minister described today's police operation as the beginning of the strong measures being taken to halt the drug trade. He stated that the effort would only cease when those involved in drug trafficking stop their activities.

Police indicated that the special anti-narcotics operation was launched based on intelligence information. Teams coordinated from special departments and regions are carrying out simultaneous searches and law enforcement activities.