Motion against deporting foreigners carrying drugs
Conflict in the law and the regulations make Maldives an easy target for smuggling.
By
Mariyam Umna Ismail
An emergency motion has been moved in the parliament demanding an amendment to the regulations that allow the deportation of foreigners who smuggle drugs into the Maldives.
Henveiru West MP Hassan Latheef raised the issue in parliament. Hassan had filed the case in connection with the seizure of drugs worth MVR 6.5 million from the luggage of a man who had come to the Maldives via Doha in Qatar on February 6 and then was sent back without allowing entrance in to the country.
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The man left the Maldives under the 'Regulations on How to Deal With Foreigners Who Come to the Maldives by Air If They Are Suspected to Be Trying to Smuggle Drugs into the Maldives'
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This is a regulation published on January 26
In the emergency motion, Hassan pointed out:
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It is the party's policy to put in place a robust mechanism to nab and punish those involved in smuggling and peddling drugs and implement it
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Against the party's policy, the government has framed rules to allow foreigners who smuggle drugs to do the business easily, without fear and encourages them to do so.
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As per the regulations, drugs can be smuggled in to the Maldives easily
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This opens up the possibility of large drug trafficking networks making the country a destination for that trade and putting the state and its citizens at risk
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Even if this is the case in the regulations, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act makes it an offence to engage in trafficking in any form
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Law and regulation in conflict
Hassan Latheef said, "It is not legally possible to enforce a rule that negates what the law prescribes guilt and punishment."
In the emergency motion, he urged the government to remove the relevant sections of the regulations.
