The Maldives Police Service has shut down 11 drug cafés this year as part of a intensified nationwide campaign against drug trafficking and use.
The announcement came during a press conference on Wednesday, where Drug Enforcement officials presented detailed statistics on operations and investigations conducted throughout 2025.
Chief Inspector of Police Fatih Mohamed revealed that the closures resulted from targeted raids, particularly in the Greater Malé region, where several such illicit establishments were operating.
Between 1 January and 20 December, police conducted 188 drug-related operations across the country. These efforts led to the identification of 137 foreign nationals involved in drug activities, who were subsequently handed over to Maldives Immigration for deportation.
Additionally, 301 drug users were identified during the period and referred to the National Drug Agency (NDA) for rehabilitation through the drug court system.
Authorities also performed body searches on 16,024 individuals who displayed trafficking indicators or were suspected of drug-related offences, resulting in 997 arrests.