President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has affirmed that the Government aims to pursue development and address major issues overlooked by previous administrations. He made the remarks while speaking with the residents of AA. Rasdhoo Island.
Speaking at the meeting, President underscored that citizens have consistently called for the resolution of the drug issue, which remains a significant challenge inherited from previous administrations. He remarked that the nation has endured the impact of drug addiction for decades, with the problem escalating over the past 30 to 40 years due to a lack of effective measures.
President emphasised that the drug issue has severely impacted every family, island, and community. He affirmed that the Government’s priority is to rehabilitate drug addicts and ensure a drug-free, constructive future for the youth, recognising its importance for every island.
The President stated that the Maldives relies heavily on revenue generated by promoting the country's positive image internationally, and this can only be sustained by ensuring the nation remains peaceful, secure, and stable. He emphasised that achieving this requires overcoming drug addiction.
In his speech, the President highlighted the significant efforts made by the current Government over the past year in tackling the drug trade. He pointed out that the drug trade had been involving a large number of undocumented foreigners, many of whom have now been deported. He stated that in the last year alone, 153 foreigners had been caught, arrested, and deported following thorough investigations, marking a twofold increase from the previous year.
President stated that search operations at drug vendors and consumption establishments have been significantly increased. He reported that over the past year, 13,435 such venues have been raided, with investigations conducted on those involved. He highlighted that, as of November 2023, the number of raids stood at 8,581. Furthermore, the President revealed that 655 kg of drugs had been seized and publicly disposed of in front of the media. In contrast, only 113 kg of drugs was seized during the last year.
President stated that the total value of drugs seized by the current Government amounts to 1.3 billion ruffiyya. He noted that the value of drugs seized until November of the previous year stood at 255 million ruffiyya. The President also assured that individuals involved in such activities within the police and other enforcement agencies would not be included in the list.
Noting that the current Government's vision is to find a genuine solution to substance abuse, President emphasised that a bill has been introduced in Parliament to facilitate progress in this regard. He further underscored the critical role of public cooperation in achieving a sustainable solution. The President remarked that true growth and development extend beyond visible accomplishments and necessitate the resolution of societal challenges. He highlighted that, through collective effort, the nation has the potential to overcome significant obstacles.
