The government of Japan has donated drug testing kits and precursor testing kits to the Maldives Police Service (MPS).

The donation was made in support of the government effort to combat drug trafficking and abuse, during a ceremony held at the Iskandar Building on Wednesday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Abdul Mannan Yoosuf received the donation on behalf of the police institution.

The donation was handed over by Ambassador of Japan to Maldives, Takeuchi Midori.

The police institution extended deepest gratitude to the Japanese government and the UNODC Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) for their generous donation that will help ensure a “safer” Maldives.

The donation includes 30 drug testing kits and 30 precursor testing kits.

MPS revealed that the invaluable support will not only expedite investigations but also help to facilitate the remand of suspects pending laboratory results.

Wednesday’s ceremony was attended by Head of Commissioners Bureau Chief Superintendent of Police Yoonus Sabah, Head of Crime Scene Investigation Department Chief Inspector of Police Musthaq Mohamed, Head of Evidence Control Chief Inspector of Police Ali Moosa and Head of UNODC Malé Office, Enrico Boninsegna.

The drug and precursor field testing kits donated in support of the Japanese government are water resistant kits that incorporate reagent tools required to detect drugs.

These kits will assist in early detection of drugs, from the first stage of analysis which will in turn assist officers identify drug and contaminant types and substances within a short span of time.

These portable kits will significantly enhance the ability of frontline officers to intercept drug trafficking which in turn enables rapid identification of suspected materials at crime scenes across different regions of the Maldives.