The Maldives Police Service has moved to have a notorious criminal group operating in Malé formally declared a gang, with a case now submitted to the Prosecutor General’s Office.
Speaking at a press conference today, Superintendent of Police Ishag Adam, Head of the Gang Crime Enforcement Department, confirmed that police have forwarded the case to the PGO and are currently implementing prosecutorial recommendations to advance the legal process.
Reliable sources within the authorities have confirmed to this publication that the group in question is widely known as “Dark Town”, an organised criminal network operating primarily within Machangolhi Warden. According to law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation, the group has long been linked to serious criminal activity.
Police further revealed that parallel investigations are underway to identify other criminal groups operating in the atolls, in addition to Malé, that may meet the legal criteria for gang designation.
Authorities noted a marked decline in gang related crimes since the enforcement of the Law on Preventing Gang Crimes and Other Serious Offenses, which came into force in August this year. The legislation introduced a structured judicial mechanism to dismantle organised criminal networks through formal court recognition.
Under the law, the process begins with police submitting a case to the Prosecutor General for review. If satisfied, the Prosecutor General forwards the case to the High Court, which holds the authority to officially designate a criminal group as a gang, enabling stronger legal action against its members.
Police reiterated that formal gang designation remains a key pillar of their nationwide strategy to curb organised crime and strengthen public safety.
