Police Shut Down 14 Drug Cafés in Malé Since January

Police have shut down 14 drug cafés in Malé since January, with six more still in operation.

According to Chief Inspector Ahmed Naif, who spoke to state media PSM, more than 60 such establishments have been identified in the capital. However, legal and logistical challenges have hindered efforts to close them all. 

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These challenges include property ownership disputes, reluctance from family members to provide testimony, and the involvement of multiple individuals, making it difficult to establish accountability.

The most significant obstacle, Naif stated, stems from legal loopholes within the current Drugs Act.

Proposed amendments to the legislation seek to address these issues by granting police the authority to shut down drug cafés for up to 72 hours without a court order. The amendments would also allow police to request court approval to extend closures for a maximum of 90 days.

Last year, police shut down more than 40 drug cafés and handed over 142 expatriates to Immigration for deportation on drug-related charges.