Police shut 17 suspected drug use locations across Maldives

Authorities have closed 17 properties across the Maldives on suspicion that they were being used to facilitate drug use, Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusaan has said.

Ihusaan disclosed the figure while answering a question from a member of the public at the government’s Ahaa Forum on Sunday. The forum, organised by the President’s Office and Public Service Media, allows members of the public to question Cabinet ministers.

According to Ihusaan, 12 of the properties closed so far are in Malé, four are in Addu and one is in Fuvahmulah.

The closures follow amendments to the Drugs Act that came into force on 7 March, granting police powers to issue notices closing properties suspected of facilitating drug use for 24 hours without first obtaining a court order.

Courts can subsequently order such properties to remain closed for periods of up to three months.

Ihusaan said authorities aim to close locations in Malé that are commonly used as “drug cafés”, including residential properties used for the purpose, by November.

“We are looking to see whether, by November, we can close all such cafés or houses in Malé that are commonly used for selling drugs,” Ihusaan said.

He said authorities had previously faced difficulties because people repeatedly returned to the same properties after police operations.

According to Ihusaan, there have been locations where police have had to conduct operations and make arrests on more than 140 occasions. However, he said the activity would resume after the property was released.

Ihusaan said amendments allowing properties to be closed under court orders had resulted in progress in addressing the issue.

He added that if the sale of drugs continues at a property after a court-ordered closure, existing legislation allows the state to confiscate the property.

Entering or leaving a property without authorisation while it is subject to a closure order is also an offence.

Under the law, providing a place for the use of drugs is an offence punishable by five years in prison and a fine of up to MVR 100,000.

The law also provides penalties for owners, tenants or persons responsible for a property who knowingly allow it to be used to facilitate drug use.

The government has expanded enforcement measures against drug trafficking and drug-related activity this year. In his 2026 Presidential Address, President Mohamed Muizzu said police had conducted 212 drug operations during 2025 and launched Operation Alimagu as a nationwide operation targeting drug networks.