Maldives Immigration has been given the authority to stop foreigners from entering the Maldives if they are suspected of being in possession of drugs. These regulations will come into force seven days after the date of publication in the Government Gazette.
Controller General of Immigration Mohamed Ahmed Hussain has been given the authority to deny entry to foreigners in three circumstances under the Regulation on the Procedure for Suspected Drug Smugglers which is empowered under the Immigration Act.
The circumstances in which a foreigner can be detained from entering the country include if Maldives Police Service (MPS) or Maldives Customs Service received information that a foreigner is trying to smuggle drugs and if an individual is suspected of the possession of drugs in their luggage, and information that the person is travelling to the Maldives as a transit point for drug trafficking. Under these circumstances, an individual is detained without entry, but entry is granted at the discretion of the authorities in consultation with them.
Immigration will also have the authority to grant such foreigners the opportunity to enter the Maldives under the regulation if they agree to cooperate with the relevant authorities in their efforts to prevent drug trafficking. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the MPS to arrange for the care of foreigners who are allowed to enter the Maldives and the responsibility of the Maldives Immigration to make all arrangements for their deportation.
Furthermore, focal points shall be appointed among the enforcement agencies and information should be shared with the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) and other agencies within seven days from the date of publication of the regulations in the Government Gazette.