In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, the Counter Narcotics Intelligence and Drug Enforcement units conducted a joint operation in Hulhumalé, leading to the arrest of 23-year-old Mariyam Zeena from Aahiya, H.A. Thuraakunu. The operation, executed on February 19, 2025, involved a court-sanctioned search of an apartment in Phase 1 of Hulhumalé, where authorities discovered over 14 kilograms of suspected narcotics.
Following her arrest, Zeena was presented before the court, which mandated a 15-day detention period as investigations proceed. The Maldives Police Service has confirmed that inquiries into the case are ongoing.
This seizure underscores the escalating efforts by Maldivian authorities to combat drug-related offenses. In 2024, the government reported seizing drugs valued at approximately $84 million, a sixfold increase compared to the previous year. President Mohamed Muizzu highlighted these intensified measures, noting the deportation of over 150 expatriates linked to drug trafficking within the same year.
Hulhumalé has recently been a focal point for anti-drug operations. In July 2024, a police operation in the area resulted in the arrest of seven individuals and the confiscation of over a kilogram of illicit substances. These concerted efforts reflect the nation’s commitment to eradicating drug trafficking and ensuring community safety.
As the investigation into Zeena’s case continues, authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to aid in the ongoing battle against narcotics in the Maldives.
