Police Conduct Over 87,000 Searches, 67 Arrested for Gang Crimes

The police statistics revealed that they have conducted searches of over 87,000 properties and arrested 67 individuals in connection with gang-related crimes over the past eight months.

The Gang Crime Enforcement Unit reported making these arrests between January 1 and August 31. Of the suspects apprehended, 37 remain in custody—15 in remand jails and 22 in police detention—while 30 have been released.

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During this period, police officers also questioned 12,253 individuals related to gang activities, which included 2,583 adults and 331 minors, who were stopped and interrogated on 2,014 occasions.

In addition to the arrests, police searched 87,775 properties and 173 vehicles. They also removed graffiti and furniture from two locations identified as gang hangouts.

Police have also reported that authorities have confiscated narcotics valued at over MVR 282 million in a series of counter-narcotics operations conducted over the past eight months.

Statistics reveal that the Drug Enforcement Unit carried out 113 operations from January 1 to August 31 this year. During these operations, police searched 8,554 individuals, resulting in 712 arrests. Additionally, 80 foreign nationals apprehended during the operations have been transferred to the custody of Maldives Immigration.

In total, law enforcement officials seized 158.85 kilograms of drugs along with 5,252 bottles of alcohol. The estimated street value of the narcotics is MVR 282,273,641.52.

During the reporting period, police recorded 475 drug-related offences. Investigations have been completed for 230 of these cases, which have been forwarded to the Prosecutor General’s Office for potential criminal charges.

The Gang Crime Enforcement Unit has completed investigations and referred eight cases to the Prosecutor General’s Office for potential criminal charges.