President says death penalty will deter drug smuggling in Maldives

President Mohamed Muizzu said on Thursday that introducing the death penalty for drug smuggling will act as a deterrent and reduce drug trafficking in the Maldives.

Speaking at a meeting with residents of Maafannu at Thaajuddeen School, the President referred to the amendment to the Narcotics Act passed by Parliament on Wednesday, which introduces the death penalty for those who smuggle drugs into the Maldives.

President Muizzu said the government’s aim is to strengthen young people and address drug-related issues by targeting the root cause of the problem. According to him, smuggling is the entry point for drugs into the country.

"You cannot run that trade without importing drugs into the Maldives. The bill has now been passed to punish drug smugglers with the death penalty," he said.

He added that the intention is not to impose the death penalty itself but to deter those involved in drug smuggling. He said imposing strong penalties would reduce the number of people involved in such offences.

The President said punishments are a tool used in religious and legal systems to prevent wrongdoing, noting that they are applied only to those who meet the criteria for punishment.

Under the current Narcotics Act, life imprisonment for drug offences is defined as 25 years. The amended bill now defines life imprisonment as imprisonment until death. President Muizzu highlighted this change during his address.

He said the amendment addresses the source of the drug problem and called on the public to support the government’s efforts. He added that the courts are cooperating and that judges are now issuing sentences in drug cases without favour.