In a significant counter-narcotics operation on February 12, authorities apprehended two women in HDh. Hanimaadhoo on charges of drug possession and trafficking. The suspects, identified as Aminath, 56, of Maya Palace, and her daughter, 25-year-old Fathimath Maya, were taken into custody following a joint operation by the Hanimaadhoo Police Station and Counter Narcotics Intelligence.
A thorough search of their residence led to the discovery of substances believed to be narcotics, weighing approximately 189.69 grams, along with a sum of cash. The specific type of drugs seized has not been disclosed pending further analysis.
Upon their presentation at the Hanimaadhoo Magistrate Court for remand hearings, Aminath received a five-day detention order, while Fathimath Maya was remanded for 15 days. The investigation remains active as authorities delve deeper into the case.
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges the Maldives faces with drug-related offenses. Recent reports indicate a troubling rise in drug abuse and trafficking within the nation. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has highlighted the Maldives’ vulnerability to drug trafficking due to its strategic location near major illicit opium-producing regions and its increasing exposure to international tourism and trade.
The Maldives Police Service continues to intensify efforts to combat drug-related crimes, aiming to curb the distribution and consumption of illegal substances across the archipelago.
