President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the Prevention of Gang and Other Serious Offences Act (Act No. 7/2025).
The new law defines offences and penalties related to gang activity and serious organised crimes in the Maldives. It enhances law enforcement powers, introduces measures to protect children from gang involvement, and establishes systems to monitor and manage high-risk individuals. The Act also lays out a broader framework for prevention and enforcement measures.
While previous legislation targeting gang activity, intimidation, and the possession of dangerous weapons has been in place since 2010, it has not produced effective results. The new law addresses these gaps and provides the stronger response the public has long called for.
Key provisions of the Act include:
Judicial identification of gangs and affiliated individuals to dismantle their influence
Confiscation of illicit wealth and assets linked to gang activity, serious crime, or illicit enrichment through judicial processes
Criminalisation of financial support to gangs
Use of controlled deliveries and covert operations to disrupt gang networks
Preventive measures to protect children from recruitment into gangs
Monitoring of high-risk individuals, including electronic tagging under the MoniCon Order
Establishment of a structured system for offender supervision and rehabilitation
The Government has taken significant steps over the past 18 months to tackle gang-related crime. A dedicated Gang Crime Enforcement Unit was established within the Maldives Police Service on July 1, 2024. Since then, 31,511 individuals have been questioned in gang hotspots, 180 arrests have been made, and charges filed against 83 suspects. Notably, no lives have been lost to gang violence during this period.
The bill was passed at the 32nd sitting of the first session of the 2025 parliamentary term on May 15, 2025.
Following ratification, the Act has been published in the Government Gazette and is now in legal effect.