A café that has allegedly been involved in the illicit sale and use of drugs in Fuvahmulah was shut down yesterday under a court order.

This is the first time an alleged drug café has been closed down in an island other than Male'.

The police said that the café had imported drugs, made sales and conducted business with drugs, operated under the guise of a café and offered services where people could use drugs, with the Fuvahmulah Magistrate's Court issuing an order to close the café located at Funaadu, Gulisthaanuge.

The police said the court order was issued for the café to be shut down for 85 days starting yesterday. The order was issued under the Drugs Act, with it being the first order by the Fuvahmulah Magistrate's Court in closing down a location that provides a service in the use of drugs.

Entering and leaving such premises for the duration of the court order is a crime. The police said that those who enter such places without permission and those who cause damage to such places will receive the strictest punishment as per the law.

The police thanked the public for their assistance and cooperation in their efforts in putting a stop to parties that import and sell drugs.

"We will continue to do our work under the powers granted to us by the Drugs Act. We will continue to find other places that offer the sale and use of drugs are closed down as per the law," as was written in the statement that was uploaded to the police's website.

The police has conducted an operation against drugs in Fuvahmulah recently and has apprehended a large network.