Maldives Police Service has refused to disclose the details of the nationwide counter-narcotic operation carried out by the authority at the instructions of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
‘Operation Alimagu’ commenced with the participation of 500 officers at 5:30am early morning on November 13th. The commencement of the operation was announced by President Muizzu, via a post on X, who said over 100 locations across the Maldives will be simultaneously searched as part of operation in line with the government’s initiative to eradicate drugs from the country.
The Police, in an update at around 12:30pm on the same day, announced the arrests of 90 people under the operation.
In a later update, Home Minister Ali Ihusan said 92 people were arrested during the operation after searching some 100 locations. He identified all arrestees as drug sellers. However, no further information has been disclosed.
Journalists have repeatedly inquired updates regarding the operation since then. However, the Police have withheld any further information. Hence, the identity of the suspects remains unclear, alongside whether they have been remanded in custody. The amount of drugs seized in the operation also remains unclear.
The Police have described ‘Operation Alimagu’ as the largest counter-narcotics operation in recent years, aligning with their ongoing efforts to intercept drug trafficking across the Maldives and hold those involved in drug distribution accountable.