Drug lords cannot hide, major solution in plans this year: Ihusan

The drug issue can only be resolved by targeting those hiding at the root of the problem, said Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusan, adding that significant solutions would be implemented within the year.

Responding to a question at Public Service Media (PSM)'s 'Ahaa' [ask] programme, Minister Ihusan said the biggest issue concerning the social and safety aspect of the country is drugs. Because of this, the current administration moved all the agencies working against drugs under one ministry, he said.

The minister revealed that more than 700 kilograms of drugs, worth MVR 1.4 billion, have been destroyed in the past 18 months. He also said more than 9,000 bottles of alcohol were also seized during the crackdown on drug smuggling to the Malé and other residential island.

Drugs smuggled through Maldives' borders and airports are being seized and a scanner for goods brought in via containers is being sought by the government, he said.

Ihusan explained that they plan to tackle the drug problem by reducing the products being smuggled into the country and said drug dealers would be arrested.

He said drug investigations are being conducted nationwide, noting that there is an active money laundering investigation connected to drugs.

He said the drug lords' businesses often have two to three layers to them, resulting in police operations capturing the weakest link or the middle men. This prevents the authorities from reaching the root of the problem, he said.

"We are following the money and looking for the leaders [of drug operations] who are believed to be smuggling drugs into Maldives and running drug networks. We are taking action against them and stopping it. We are seizing their money," he said.

"We will stop their businesses. We have conducted a pilot operation. [And] legal action has been taken... We arrested two people at the top of the drug channel in Fuvahmulah. Legal action was taken against them and their cases are now being heard in courts," Ihusan added.

Ahmed Niushad, 34, and Hassan Azim, 29, were arrested in December last year, in a special operation in Fuvahmulah. They were charged with money laundering in March.

Ihusan said the drug bust operation has now been expanded to the whole country, targeting those running legitimate businesses as fronts for drug dealing.

Along with reducing the supply, the government is also working to develop more rehabilitation facilities he said. The minister further said while both actions need to be carried out simultaneously for a total solution, the government's priority lies in reducing the drug smuggling.

"There will be a huge success by the end of this year. We are bringing transformational changes into the law," the minister said.

The government's changes to the Drugs Act include the confiscation of property and money derived from drug trafficking.