Amendments introducing the death penalty for major drug traffickers and importers have officially come into force in the Maldives today, marking one of the toughest anti-narcotics measures in the country’s legal history.
The new provisions allow capital punishment for individuals convicted of trafficking or importing large quantities of illicit drugs. However, the death sentence can only be imposed if the bench of justices presiding over the case at the Supreme Court delivers a unanimous verdict.
If the justices fail to reach a unanimous decision, the offender will instead receive life imprisonment and be required to pay a fine ranging between MVR 100,000 and MVR 10 million.
The legislation was passed by Parliament on December 3 last year and ratified by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu three days later. Under the law, a mandatory three-month waiting period was required before enforcement, which expired today, bringing the amendments fully into effect.
According to the revised law, prosecutors may seek the death penalty when the quantity of seized drugs exceeds specific thresholds. These include more than 350 grams of cannabis, more than 250 grams of diamorphine, or more than 100 grams of any other type of narcotic substance. The capital sentence may also apply to individuals convicted of importing controlled substances into the Maldives.
Before these amendments, the maximum punishment under the Drugs Act was life imprisonment, defined as a 25-year prison term, along with fines ranging from MVR 100,000 to MVR 10 million.
Authorities say the strengthened penalties are aimed at deterring large-scale drug trafficking networks and curbing the growing narcotics trade affecting communities across the Maldives.
