The Prosecutor General’s (PG) office has described the new Prevention of Gang and Other Serious Offences Act as a decisive step in the nation's effort to combat organised crime and gang-related violence.
While previous legislation targeting gang activity, intimidation, and the possession of dangerous weapons has been in place since 2010, it has not produced effective results. The new law that will come into effect on 25 August following its ratification in May, addresses these gaps and provides the stronger response the public has long called for.
As prosecutors and law enforcement agencies prepare to implement the new law, Public Prosecutor Ahmed Naushad, speaking on PSM News' ‘Raajje Miadhu’ programme acknowledged the gaps in the current legislation does not account for the ever-changing tactics used in organised crime.
Naushad said gangs nowadays resort to violence and organised crime without using weapons that had not been properly addressed in the present legislations.
The new landmark law however, provides law enforcement authorities to clampdown on organised crime like kidnapping and witness intimidation mostly done without the use of a weapon, he said.
"The new law has been formulated from the experience of previous laws. Especially in the prosecution and trials, witnesses have been influenced and intimidated,” Naushad explained.
Naushad highlighted that the new law offers law enforcement agencies the ability to declare a criminal group as a gang through the High Court to crackdown on their criminal activities and even seize illicit wealth.
The new statute formally defines offences related to gang activity and organised crime, introducing strict penalties while significantly broadening law enforcement authority. It establishes monitoring mechanisms for high-risk individuals and includes provisions to prevent the recruitment of minors into criminal organisations. Structuring its approach around prevention and enforcement, the law aims to dismantle entrenched networks and disrupt their operations.
Under its provisions, law enforcement agencies are tasked with identifying gangs and individuals affiliated with them, a step intended to weaken criminal networks and limit their ability to operate. The legislation also authorises the seizure of illicit assets linked to organised crime, criminalising financial support for such groups.
Law enforcement agencies have been granted expanded powers to conduct controlled deliveries and covert operations aimed at dismantling organised crime syndicates. The law explicitly criminalises recruitment into organised crime, with stiff penalties for those responsible.