In a significant move to curb the trafficking and spread of narcotics in the Maldives, drug testing kits donated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have been formally handed over to the Maldives Customs Service and the Maldives Police Service (MPS).
The kits were initially donated to the National Drug Agency (NDA) in January, with a special ceremony held to mark their transfer to the relevant law enforcement authorities.
Speaking at the ceremony, Acting CEO of the NDA, Mohamed Rashid, highlighted the growing prevalence of synthetic, factory-produced drugs. He stressed that as the nature of narcotics continues to evolve, traditional rehabilitation methods must also adapt. However, he noted that a global shortage of specialised treatment programmes for synthetic drug addiction presents a challenge, compelling the Maldives to pursue innovative approaches to treatment.
“Currently, individuals requiring treatment are accommodated at the Himmafushi centre. The cognitive behavioural interventions carried out during their stay have shown promising results. Looking ahead, we aim to establish a more streamlined and effective pathway for treating synthetic drug addiction,” said Rashid.
Representing the Maldives Police Service, Deputy Commissioner of Police Farhad Fikury underscored the serious threat posed by synthetic drugs. He described the initiative as a milestone in strengthening both technical training and operational capacity.
“This is not merely the provision of equipment; it reflects a commitment to regional cooperation and a firm resolve to combat drug trafficking. We assure that these resources will be utilised effectively to support our efforts,” he stated.
Deputy Commissioner of Customs Ibrahim Mafaz reiterated that enforcement remains a top priority, with enhanced screening and surveillance at both air and sea ports.
“These resources will significantly strengthen our operations and contribute to our success. So far this year, close collaboration has led to the seizure of 86 kilogrammes of narcotics—a record compared to the same period last year,” he said.
The UNODC donation includes 30 drug identification kits, 30 precursor chemical kits, and 180 portable chemical testing kits, along with five USB drives containing instructional training videos. Of these, the Maldives Customs Service has received 20 drug and precursor kits and 60 portable kits, while the Maldives Police Service has been allocated 40 drug and precursor kits and 120 portable kits.
According to the NDA, each kit is capable of conducting up to 500 individual tests. The agency further noted that the kits are designed to deliver rapid and highly accurate results suitable for use as forensic evidence, and are capable of detecting ten types of illicit substances most commonly smuggled into the Maldives.