Drugs Seized in Police Raids Are Leaking Back into Community: President Muizzu

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that the police force faces an internal issue where narcotics seized during raids are finding their way back into the community.

President Muizzu made these remarks during the third episode of "The Pulse" podcast series, which was released by the President's Office on Friday.

"When I first looked into the matter, I found that there were undesirable influences within the police force regarding drug enforcement. For instance, there were instances where seized items from raids were finding their way back into the community, along with other forms of illicit influence," the President said.

President Muizzu stated that such influences have now been eradicated from within the police force. He further noted that reports of opportunities for such illicit activities have now become significantly rare.

President Muizzu stated that to eradicate the drug menace from the Maldives, it is essential to address its root causes, emphasizing that the government's policy is to work towards a holistic solution to the issue.

In his remarks, President Muizzu stated that the core philosophy of the government's drug policy is to rescue the youth ensnared in addiction and empower them to become productive, dignified, and contributing members of society. Noting the myriad reasons why individuals fall into drug abuse, the President emphasized that the issue can only be resolved by identifying and addressing its root causes. He further highlighted that housing challenges and the developmental policies pursued by successive governments are among the underlying factors contributing to this crisis.

In his remarks, President Muizzu emphasized that the government is seeking a holistic solution to these issues by addressing interconnected challenges. This includes resolving the housing crisis, creating adequate employment opportunities, facilitating diverse income streams for youth, and providing support for the establishment of small businesses. Furthermore, the President highlighted that efforts to promote self-empowerment, create home-based income opportunities for women, establish a robust healthcare system, and expand access to quality education are all linked to addressing the root causes that lead youth toward drug abuse and criminal activity. President Muizzu underscored that these issues cannot be resolved through superficial measures. He noted that the government is addressing the root causes in a meaningful way to ensure a genuine and lasting transformation.

In his remarks, the President revealed that efforts are underway to implement a modern, comprehensive solution aimed at strengthening the rehabilitation and reintegration of juvenile offenders into society. He noted that while this is a high-cost undertaking, a specific area in Uthuru Thila Falhu—separate from the land reclaimed for Malé’s housing projects—has been designated for the development of this facility. Providing further details, the President noted that although securing funding for the project has taken considerable time, the evaluation of submitted proposals is currently ongoing. President Muizzu stated that physical work on the project is expected to commence shortly and expressed confidence that, God willing, tangible results will be achieved within the current term.