Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed has stated Maldives Police Service (MPS) has gathered evidence of multiple incidents where individuals have been held hostage by drug dealers until the end of transactions.
Speaking on the drug operations conducted by MPS, Commissioner Hameed said locals have been paying the price for most of the major drug deals conducted in the Maldives recently. In this regard, the commissioner noted MPS has gathered evidence of multiple instances where the purchasing party is held hostage at a location specified by the source country or dealer until the full price is paid and the transaction is completed. He said such incidents have led to physical harm and even death of the individual being held hostage.
The police commissioner further stated the new action plan of MPS places high priority on intercepting drugs which are smuggled into the country. Noting drug abuse is detrimental to the social and economic well-being of the country, the commissioner said local households are forced to bear a large cost for the drug deals which occur in the country. He said MPS is currently working on formulating a national strategy on eliminating drug abuse, under the Narcotic Drugs Act which came into effect in 2011.
MPS has recently conducted a major drug operation in Addu City, seizing nearly 100 kilos of drugs which were being carried in a dinghy. MPS said the value of the seized drugs amount to over USD 9.7 million.