More than 190 arrested in Operation Alimagu, 34 cases sent to PG

More than 190 people have been arrested so far under Operation Alimagu, with 34 cases forwarded to the Prosecutor General’s Office, police said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference, the Drug Enforcement Department’s chief inspector, Mohamed Fathih, said the operation, which began on 13 last month, remains ongoing. 

Fathih said 193 people had been arrested as of last Saturday. Of these, 71 cases are still under investigation, while 34 have been sent to the Prosecutor General’s Office for prosecution. Most of those arrested have since been released, he said.

He added that a separate drug operation launched on Tuesday led to searches at seven locations and the arrest of nine people six men and three women. About one kilogram of drugs was seized during the operation.

Chief inspector Ahmed Naif said most of the cases sent for prosecution involve major drug dealers operating in Maldives.

Police said anti-drug operations across the islands have been expanded this year. According to police data, 61 people were arrested in 32 operations carried out across seven atolls, during which 12 kg of drugs and about 5,000 bottles of alcohol were seized.

The largest drug seizure was reported in Gaafu Alifu and Gaafu Dhaalu atolls, where an operation in October resulted in the seizure of 12 kg of drugs and the arrest of 13 people. The highest quantity of alcohol was seized in Kaafu atoll Maafushi, where 4,817 bottles were recovered and 20 people were arrested.

Police said a total of 498 kg of drugs have been seized in operations so far this year, with an estimated street value of MVR 875 million.