Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan has stated that more than 700 kilograms of drugs have been seized so far.

Responding to a question at the ‘Ahaa’ Forum held on Monday night, Ihusaan said that when looking at social issues in the Maldives, one of the biggest problems is the snowballing drug issue. Raising the question of why he is confident that the drug problem will be solved during the current presidential term, the minister said that progress is being made in that direction within the 18 months of the current administration. The minister said that they started the work by arranging everything so that all relevant agencies could work with the ministry.

The minister said that they have removed the previous bureaucracy and conflicts between agencies and have made it possible for the state to work together as a whole. As a result, more than 700, kilograms of drugs have been seized in the past 18 months alone.

The minister said that special efforts are being made to scan packages coming through post in a bid to close the entry points at the Maldivian border. In addition to this, packages arriving at the airport are also being checked, and the number of seizures from there has also increased.

The minister said that they are in the process of acquiring a scanner to scan containers arriving via sea cargo, and that this will provide a solution to the problem of sea-based smuggling.

Unlike previous administrations, the minister said they are working with a focus on reducing supply, and while doing so, instead of chasing after drugs, they are apprehending drug traffickers.

The minister said that by following the money trail, they are tracking down those believed to be smuggling drugs into the Maldives and running drug networks in the atolls. He added that action will be taken against these individuals, their money will be seized, and their businesses will be shuttered.

The minister said that a pilot operation has been launched for the purpose, and legal steps have also been taken. As such, two top drug traffickers in Fuvahmulah City have been arrested as well. The minister added that legal action has been taken and the case is being investigated.