Government to Intensify Drug Crackdown and Expand Police Presence Across All Islands

The Maldivian government will escalate its fight against drug trafficking and organized crime, with Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology Ali Ihusaan announcing that these efforts will shift into a "higher gear" by next year. Speaking at the 93rd Anniversary of the Maldives Police Service, Minister Ihusaan stated that while gang violence within communities has been largely stabilized, the next phase of the strategy will focus on the President’s "Intellect and Self-Development Policy." This initiative aims to remove individuals from criminal environments and provide the necessary support for them to reintegrate into society. The Minister also highlighted the growing threat of technology-driven crime. He noted that the police force must be equipped with modern tools to combat a rising tide of cybercrime, online fraud, digital exploitation, and sophisticated organized crime networks. A significant priority for the administration is the decentralization of security services. Upon taking office, the government found that approximately 100 islands lacked police stations, with only 17 islands having established facilities. Minister Ihusaan revealed that five new stations were opened in the past year, with a commitment to ensure every island has an adequate police service center by the end of the current term. Parallel to these security measures, Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohamed announced significant improvements to officer welfare. The government is revising the calculation of honorary retirement allowances for officers who retire with honor. Furthermore, a new policy has been introduced to provide medical treatment for retired officers based on their length of service. Commissioner Mohamed attributed these reforms to the leadership of President Mohamed Muizzu, emphasizing a shift toward better public service delivery. He noted that the police service is currently increasing its resources and specialized training to maintain public trust and enhance the overall quality of law enforcement across the archipelago.