The Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan has issued a stern warning to narcotics networks, declaring that the government will take harshest possible action against those who profit from the drug trade.
The Minister's stark warning came after a key figure in a Fuvahmulah City-based drug network was sentenced to 75 years in prison.
Abdul Basith (28), who was arrested in April 2024 as part of a special operation in Fuvahmulah City, a targeted police crackdown on money laundering and drug smuggling rings. During his arrest on 27 April 2024, a significant cache of illicit substances was recovered from his residence. The case, forwarded to the Prosecutor General’s Office on 11 June 2024, culminated in a swift and severe conviction for drug trafficking.
Minister Ihusaan lauded the operation as a resounding success, praising the coordinated efforts of the police and prosecutors involved. He reiterated that the government will take the toughest action against those who profit from drug trafficking, underscoring the administration's zero-tolerance policy.
The case is a single component of a much broader and ongoing investigation. Police have confirmed the arrests of 174 individuals on various occasions, including the alleged leaders of two major drug trafficking networks operating in Fuvahmulah city. To date, 188 cases have been investigated, with 78 forwarded for prosecution, demonstrating the scale of the crackdown.
This aggressive stance is backed by recent legislative changes. The government has amended the Drugs Act to introduce the death penalty for traffickers, the most severe punishment prescribed under Islamic Sharia.
The operation's impact is reflected in nationwide statistics. Last year alone, around 500 kilograms of drugs were seized in various operations—over 600 drug-related cases under investigation, with 335 referred to the prosecutor, and 11 locations operating as drug cartels permanently shut down.